(5-8) A2

Science Curriculum Preview Committee Clarification of Learning Results

Revised 04/07/04

5-8

A2: Decipher the system for assigning a scientific name to every living thing.

Curriculum Organizing Questions

How does a scientific name differ from a common name?

What makes up a scientific name and how is the name chosen?

What are the advantages of having scientific names?

How does species fit into a biological classification scheme?

What determines whether two organisms belong to the same species?

Why is it helpful to know what genus and species organisms belong to?

Elaboration
Biologists classify organisms into a hierarchy of groups and subgroups on the basis of similarities and differences in their structure and behavior. Every living thing has a scientific name consisting of its genus name and species name. For sexually reproducing organisms, a species comprises all organisms that can mate with one another to produce fertile offspring.SFAA p. 60.

The intent is not to memorize the classification of any particular organisms, but to learn how the system works.

Specific Ideas

Millions of species of animals, plants, and microorganism are alive today. Many of these species have been named. NSES C5a.

A scientific name has two parts-- a genus name and a species name. Science Matters pg. 221.

Scientific classification uses the universal language of Latin for naming organisms. Science Matters pg. 221.

For sexually reproducing organisms, a species comprises all organisms that can mate with one another to produce fertile offspring.

Species is the most fundamental unit of classification. Benchmarks 5A4.

Although different species might look dissimilar, the unity among organisms becomes apparent from an analysis of internal structures, the similarity of their chemical processes, and the evidence of common ancestry. NSES C5a, also Benchmarks 5A3.

The genus comprises a group of closely related organisms that share similar characteristics.

Biological evolution can account for the diversity of species. NSES C3b (9-12).

Developmental & Instructional Implications
In general students recognize the idea of species as a basis for classifying organisms, but few students will refer to the genetic basis of species. Students sometimes appeal to "everyday" classifications when presented with unique organisms.

NSES suggest that this be addressed at the 9-12 level.

Examples

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Curriculum Organizing Questions	How does a scientific name differ from a common name? What makes up a scientific name and how is the name chosen? What are the advantages of having scientific names? How does species fit into a biological classification scheme? What determines whether two organisms belong to the same species? Why is it helpful to know what genus and species organisms belong to?
Elaboration	Biologists classify organisms into a hierarchy of groups and subgroups on the basis of similarities and differences in their structure and behavior. Every living thing has a scientific name consisting of its genus name and species name. For sexually reproducing organisms, a species comprises all organisms that can mate with one another to produce fertile offspring.SFAA p. 60. The intent is not to memorize the classification of any particular organisms, but to learn how the system works.
Specific Ideas	Millions of species of animals, plants, and microorganism are alive today. Many of these species have been named. NSES C5a. A scientific name has two parts-- a genus name and a species name. Science Matters pg. 221. Scientific classification uses the universal language of Latin for naming organisms. Science Matters pg. 221. For sexually reproducing organisms, a species comprises all organisms that can mate with one another to produce fertile offspring. Species is the most fundamental unit of classification. Benchmarks 5A4. Although different species might look dissimilar, the unity among organisms becomes apparent from an analysis of internal structures, the similarity of their chemical processes, and the evidence of common ancestry. NSES C5a, also Benchmarks 5A3. The genus comprises a group of closely related organisms that share similar characteristics. Biological evolution can account for the diversity of species. NSES C3b (9-12).
Developmental & Instructional Implications	In general students recognize the idea of species as a basis for classifying organisms, but few students will refer to the genetic basis of species. Students sometimes appeal to "everyday" classifications when presented with unique organisms. NSES suggest that this be addressed at the 9-12 level.
Examples