By the end of the topic, the learner should be able to:

1. use the magnifying lens to observe the external features of plants and animals
2. record observations of the main external characteristics of living organisms, preserved specimens and photographs
3. state the necessity and significance of classification
4. name the major units of classification
5. state the application of Binomial nomenclature in naming organisms. 

​Introduction 
Classification is putting organisms into groups.
Classification is based on the study of external characteristics of organisms.
It involves detailed observation of structure and functions of organisms.
Organisms with similar characteristics are put in one group.
Differences in structure are used to distinguish one group from another.
The magnifying lens is an instrument that assists in the observation of fine structure e.g. hairs by enlarging them. 

A specimen is placed on the bench or held by hand,
Then the magnifying lens is moved towards the eye until the object is dearly focused and an enlarged image is seen.
The magnification can be worked out as follows:
Note: magnification has no units. 

​To be able to identify organisms into their taxonomic groups.
To enable easier and systematic study of organisms.
To show evolutionary relationships in organisms. 

​Taxonomy is the study of the characteristics of organisms for the purpose of classifying them.
The groups are Taxa (singular Taxon).
The taxonomic groups include:

1. Species: This is the smallest unit of classification. Organisms of the same species resemble each other. The number of chromosomes in their cells is the same. Members of a species interbreed to produce fertile offspring.
2. Genus (plural genera): A genus is made up of a number of species that share several characteristics. Members of a genus cannot interbreed and if they do, the offspring are infertile.
3. Family: A family is made up of a number of genera that share several characteristics.
4. Order: A number of families with common characteristics make an order.
5. Class: Orders that share a number of characteristics make up a class.
6. Phylum/Division: A number of classes with similar characteristics make up a phylum (plural phyla) in animals. In plants this is called a division.
7. Kingdom: This is made up of several phyla (in animals) or divisions (in plants). It is the largest taxonomic unit in classification. 

Some are unicellular while others are multicellular.
They have no chlorophyll.
Most are saprophytic e.g. yeasts, moulds and mushrooms.
A few are parasitic e.g. Puccinia graminae.

These are very small unicellular organisms.
They lack a nuclear membrane
do not have any bound membrane organelles.
Hence the name Prokaryota.
They are mainly bacteria, e.g. Vibrio cholerae.

​They are unicellular organisms.
Their nucleus and organelles are surrounded by membranes (eukaryotic).
They include algae, slime moulds - fungi-like and protozoa 

They are all multicellular.
They contain chlorophyll and are all autotrophic.
They include; Bryophyta (moss plant), Pteridophyta (ferns) and Spermatophyta (seed bearing plants).

​These are all multicellular and heterotrophic.
Examples are annelida (earthworms), mollusca (snails),athropoda, chordata .
Example of Arthropods are ticks, butterflies.
Members of Chordata are fish, frogs and humans. 

In plants we should look for:-
Spore capsule and rhizoids in moss plants.
Sori and fronds in ferns.
Stem, leaves, roots, flowers, fruits and seeds in plants.
In animals, some important features to look for are:
Segmentation, presence of limbs and, number of body parts, presence and number of antennae. These are found in phylum arthropoda:
Visceral clefts, notochord, nerve tube, fur or hair, scales, fins, mammary glands, feathers and wings.
These are found in chordata. 

Organisms are known by their local names.
Scientists use scientific names to be able to communicate easily among themselves.
This method of naming uses two names, and is called Binomial nomenclature.
The first name is the name of the genus: (generic name) which starts with a capital letter.
The second name is the name of the species (specific name) which starts with a small letter.
The two names are underlined or written in italics.
Man belongs to the genus Homo, and the species, sapiens.
The scientific name of man is therefore Homo sapiens.
Maize belongs to the genus Zea, and the species mays.
The scientific name of maize is Zea mays.

​Use of Collecting Nets, Cutting Instruments and Hand Lens.
Forceps are used to collect crawling and slow moving animals.
Sweep nets are used to catch flying insects.
Cutting instrument like scapel is used to cut specimen e.g. making sections.
Hand lens is used to magnify small plants and animals.
Drawing of the magnified organism are made and the linear magnification of each calculated. 

 E.g. moss, ferns, bean.
Look for the following:
Moss plants: Rhizoids and spore capsules.
Fern plants: Rhizomes with adventitious roots; large leaves (fronds) with Sori (clusters of sporangia).
Seed plants: Tree/shrub (woody) or non-woody (herbs) e.g. bean.
Root system - fibrous, adventitious and tap root.
Stem - position and length of internodes.
Type of leaves - simple or compound; arranged as alternate, opposite or whorled.
Flower - colour, number of parts, size and relative position of each:
Fruits - fleshy or dry; edible or not edible.
Seeds - monocotyledonous or dicotyledonous.
Small animals e.g. earthworms, tick, grasshopper, butterfly, beetles.
Observe these animals to see:

1. Number of legs.
2. Presence or absence of wings.
3. Number of antennae.
4. Body covering.
5. Body parts. 

• Organisms are known by their local names.
• Scientists use scientific names to be able to communicate easily among themselves.
• This method of naming uses two names, and is called Binomial nomenclature.
• The first name is the name of the genus: (generic name) which starts with a capital letter.
• The second name is the name of the species (specific name) which starts with a small letter.
• The two names are underlined or written in italics.
  • Man belongs to the genus Homo, and the species, sapiens.
  • The scientific name of man is therefore Homo sapiens.
    • Maize belongs to the genus Zea, and the species mays.
    • The scientific name of maize is Zea mays.

Living organisms are classified into five kingdoms namely;

1. Monera,
2. Protoctista,
3. Fungi,
4. Plantae 
5. Animalia. 

• Some are unicellular while others are multicellular.
• They have no chlorophyll.
• Most are saprophytic e.g. yeasts, moulds and mushrooms.
• A few are parasitic e.g. Puccinia graminae.

​Taxonomy is the study of the characteristics of organisms for the purpose of classifying them.
The groups are Taxa (singular Taxon).

The taxonomic groups include:

• Species:
  This is the smallest unit of classification. Organisms of the same species resemble each other. The number of chromosomes in their cells is the same. Members of a species interbreed to produce fertile offspring.
• Genus (plural genera):
  A genus is made up of a number of species that share several characteristics. Members of a genus cannot interbreed and if they do, the offspring are infertile.
• Family:
  A family is made up of a number of genera that share several characteristics.
• Order:
  A number of families with common characteristics make an order.
• Class:
  Orders that share a number of characteristics make up a class.
• Phylum/Division:
  A number of classes with similar characteristics make up a phylum (plural phyla) in animals. In plants this is called a division.
• Kingdom:
  This is made up of several phyla (in animals) or divisions (in plants). It is the largest taxonomic unit in classification. 

• ​Classification is putting organisms into groups.
• Classification is based on the study of external characteristics of organisms.
• It involves detailed observation of structure and functions of organisms.
• Organisms with similar characteristics are put in one group.
• Differences in structure are used to distinguish one group from another.
• The magnifying lens is an instrument that assists in the observation of fine structure e.g. hairs by enlarging them. 

1. ​Review the use of magnifying lens
2. External features of plants and animals
3. Necessity and significance of classification
4. Major units of classification: (naming)
   1.   Kingdoms
      1.     Monera
      2.     protoctista
      3.     fungi
      4.     plantae
      5.     animalia (At least one example of each)
   2. For kingdom plantae and animalia, cover phylum/division, class, order, family, genus and species. Show relationship between the taxonomic units (Give at least one example of each taxon)
5. Discussion on Binomial nomenclature 
6. Practical activities
7. Use of collecting nets, cutting instruments and hand lens.
   1. Collection and detailed observation of:
      1. small animals e.g. insects
      2. plants - rhizoids, root systems (taproot, fibrous and adventitious), stems and leaves

​By the end of the topic, the learner should be able to:

1. use the magnifying lens to observe the external features of plants and animals
2. record observations of the main external characteristics of living organisms, preserved specimens and photographs
3. state the necessity and significance of classification
4. name the major units of classification
5. state the application of Binomial nomenclature in naming organisms.