Classifying Living Things

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

Materials Needed

zip-lock bags
labels
seeds
soil
cups
water

Safety First

Wash hands after handling materials.
Be careful with scissors — ask an adult for help if needed.
Do not look directly at the sun or bright lights.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Review the background information on Chemical Bonds 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?