CONTENT TOPIC: Diversity And Adaptations Of Organisms
CONCEPT: Animals are classified according to various structures.
CONTENT OBJECTIVE: 8H1.00 To understand the taxonomic divisions of the animal kingdom
INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: The learner will:
1.01 identify the eight phyla of the animal kingdom.
1.02 recognize the development of Animal Complexity through the eight phyla.
1.03 compare the animal development from invertebrates to vertebrates.
1.04 demonstrate the use of a simple classification key to identify animals.
OUTLINE OF CONTENT:
I. Different groups of animals
II. Development of characteristics
TN COMPONENT OF SCIENCE: Unifying Concepts of Science
TN GOAL:
To enable students to acquire scientific knowledge by applying concepts, theories, principles and laws from life/environmental, physical, and earth/space science.
TN THEME:
2.3 ORGANIZATION - Everything is organized as related systems within systems.
TN STANDARD(S): The learner will understand that:
2.3a Natural phenomena display a wide variety of similarities and differences.
BENCHMARK Similarities and differences can be observed from the most minute phenomena to the vastness of the universe.
2.3b Groupings are based on similarities related to structure and function.
BENCHMARK Thinking about things as systems means looking for how every part relates to others.
BENCHMARK A system can include processes as well as objects.
CLASSROOM CONNECTORS
TIME REQUIRED:
One or two instructional periods
MATERIALS:
Sponge, earthworm, frog, leech, starfish (live and preserved)
(Show the class a sponge, an earthworm and a frog). Can you see any difference in these three animals? (response) Today we will be studying how and why animals are classified into eight groups in the animal kingdom.
INSTRUCTION:
We know the general characteristics of animals. All animals are multicellular, can move around and must get their own food from a source other than themselves. We will add to this list of characteristics that animals are either invertebrates, without backbones, or vertebrate, without backbones, or vertebrates, with backbones. There are eight different phyla in the Animal Kingdom for the invertebrate. There is one phyla of vertebrate in the kingdom.
PORIFERA:
The simplest group of animals consists of organisms called sponges. These are simply sacks of cells that live in water. They show very few traits that we usually associate with animals. They even have a few characteristics we do not associate with animals. For example, sponges are attached to one place or sessile.
COELENTERATA:
The second phylum includes the jellyfish. (Show preserved specimen, if available.) This group shows advancements such as a central body cavity and a poisonous defense system.
PLATYHELMINTHESIA:
The third phylum includes one of the three animal groups known as worms. These flatworms are mostly parasites that feed from vertebrate animals. This is the first group where the distinctive "mouth" is found. The flatworms have a primatively developed digestive system.
NEMATODA:
The second group of worms includes worms you are familiar with concerning your pets. There are several of the roundworms that are parasites in dogs, cats, pigs, cattle and humans. The infection of this phyla does not involve any lack of hygiene in a person. The removal of these parasites is easily accomplished through medicine.
ANNELIDA:
The third group of worms includes the worms we are most familiar with - the earthworm. The body of these segmented worms is divided into sections. These animals live in or around water because their bodies are soft and dry out easily. Some of the segmented worms are parasites - such as the leech.
MOLLUSKA:
The next phylum of animals include the Mollusks. Found in this group are the octopus, snail, clam, scallop, and slug. The water dwelling mollusks are not always covered by a shell but the land dwellers usually are enclosed in a shell. All mollusks must be in or around a water source because body cells must be kept moist.
ARTHROPODA:
The next phylum is the largest of the animal phyla. The name Arthropoda means "jointed legs." These jointed legs have been a big factor in the success of this phylum. The joints allow quick, easy movement away from danger. Another beneficial characteristic is the tough, lightweight exoskeleton that covers arthropods. The outside skeleton allows the animal to survive heavy blows to the body.
ECHINODERMATA:
The seventh phylum is known as the echinoderms which means spiny skin. These animals show many advanced characteristics in systems concerning digestion and circulation. The starfish is probably the member you are most acquainted with. The echinoderms habitat is salt water. It is common to find these animals at the beach.
CHORDATA:
The last phylum is the most advanced, the Chordata. The name for this group comes from the fact that they all have a spinal cord encased in the bony vertebrae. The spinal cord is part of a very well-developed nervous system. We, as humans, are members of the phylum Chordata. Chordata have internal skeletons called endoskeleton, specialized body systems, paired appendages and the habitat includes both land and water.
ACTIVE PARTICIPATION:
We will work together to identify organisms. Use the key to determine the phylum for the following: (You may want to put a key on the board or run off enough to pass out to each student.)
1. Does the animal have a backbone?
Yes ____________ Phylum Chordata - go to #8
No ____________ Go to #2
2. Is the animal a thick sack with pores?
Yes ____________ Phylum Porifera
No ____________ Go to #3
3. Does the animal-al have spiny skin?
Yes ____________ Go to #4
No ____________ Go to #5
4. Does the animal live in salt water?
Yes ____________ Echinodermata
No
5. Does the animal have an exoskeleton?
Yes ____________ Phylum Arthropoda
No ____________ Go to #6
6. Is the animal a kind of worm?
Yes ____________ Go to #7
No ____________ Phylum Mollusk
7. Does the animal have a segmented body?
Yes ____________Phylum Annelida
No ____________ Platyhelmenthesia or Nematoda
8. Does the animal have hair?
Yes ____________ Phylum Chordata - Class Mammalia (Mammals)
No ____________ Go to #9
9. Does the animal have feathers?
Yes ____________ Phylum Chordata - Class Aves (Birds)
No ____________ Go to #10
10. Does the animal have fins?
Yes __________ Phylum Chordata - Class Fishes
No __________ Go to #11
11. Does the animal have scales?
Yes __________ Phylum Chordata - Reptiles
No __________ Phylum Chordata - Amphibians
Animals used for this activity are snake, house fly, robin, squirrel, earthworm, and snail.
SUPERVISED PRACTICE:
Take out a sheet of paper, fold in half lengthwise. On the left hand side list animals common to our area that do not have a spinal cord. On the right hand side of your paper list backboned animals common to our area.
CLOSURE:
We have studied the eight different phyla in the animal kingdom. Why is it easier to study the animal kingdoms if we use an exact method of classifying them? (Answers will vary.)
KEY QUESTIONS:
1. What do we use sponges for in our homes? (Cleaning) What is the difference in a real sponge and an artificial sponge? (Real sponges are organic, artificial sponges are man-made.) (Show examples of both.)
2. What happens when someone is stung by a Jellyfish? (The poison makes them sick.) Is this defense effective on humans? (Yes)
3. How do you get rid of your dog's or cat's worms? (You use special medications prescribed by the veterinarian.) Why do worms live inside of other animals? (The animal is the source of the worm's food.)
4. Why do you think earthworms come to the top of the ground after a heavy rain? (The soil contains too much water.)
5. Why is putting salt or beer on slugs a "real killer"? (pause) What would these do to their soft, wet bodies? (The salt or beer causes a significant reduction in body moisture.)
6. Why is it a good idea to have the spinal cord surrounded by bone? (The bone protects the delicate tissue making up the spinal cord.)
ENRICHMENT:
(Have students bring in pictures of one member from each of the animal phyla. These should be put on paper with the phylum of each animal labeled.)
GLOSSARY
appendages - body extensions, such as arms, legs, wings.
endoskeleton - a skeleton located inside an animal's body.
exoskeleton - a skeleton located on the outside of an animal's body.
echinoderm - spiny skin
multicellular - mode of many cells working together.
parasite - an organism that lives and feeds from another living organism.
segmented - body divided into segments or sections.
sessile - attached, does not move on it's own power.
spinal cord - thick cord of nerves that runs from the brain into the bony vertebrae.
vertebrae - the bones that make up a backbone, they encase the spinal cord.
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