Classifying Living Things (Part 2)

What You'll Learn

Living things are organized into levels: cells form tissues, tissues form organs, organs form organ systems, and organ systems make up a complete organism.

Key Words

metamorphosis
germination
pollination

Materials Needed

cups
water
plastic wrap
ruler

Safety First

Do not taste any materials.
Wear safety goggles when mixing liquids.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Review the background information on Lab Skills before starting.

Step 2 — Do

Compare the skeletal structures of a bird wing, human arm, and whale flipper using diagrams. Identify homologous bones and write what this tells us about common ancestry.

Step 3 — Observe

Note any unexpected results and think about why they happened.

Step 4 — Record

Share your findings with the class or a partner and discuss what you learned.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What do all living things have in common?