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3b1 Plant Classification

Plant Classification Organizing Based on Structures

3b1 Plant Classification
3b1 Plant Classification

Classification Objectives:

  • Revisit Linnaean classification, including the hierarchy of groups from Domain to species.
  • Describe how plants are generally classified starting with non-vascular plants through angiosperms.
  • If provided a plant, classify it using these terms: non-vascular or vascular, spore-bearing or seed-bearing, a gymnosperm or an angiosperm, a monocot or a dicot.
In the previous guide in the Identification section, we began taxonomic classification: classifying organisms based on their structures and genetic relatedness.  In this section we will apply classification to plants you are likely to encounter.
3b1 Plant Classification

To review, the “father of taxonomy” was Carl _____.  His nomenclature divided all organisms into two K_______ which were Plantae and Animalia.  Kingdoms were broken down into P____, then Class, Order, Family, Genus, and species.  The scientific name of an organism is a combination of its G___ and s___.

There are now three Domains: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukaryota (also called Eukarya) that are ranked higer than Kingdom.  There are four Kingdoms in Domain Eukaryota: Protists, Fungi, Plants, and Animals.

Although there are far more micsroscopic species than macroscopic species, we are spending a module on plants and animals since these are the organisms you will most likely be directly interacting with in the field.

3b1 Plant Classification
Classification is organizing things based on pattern.  Recognition of a pattern and organizing based on that can cause a release of neurotransmitters in the brain that results in a positive feeling.  Watch this video to get the basic idea of classification; organizing by pattern.

Plant Classification

Plant Classification is also part of this week’s lab.  It may help to see what you will be making for this weeks lab media piece as you go through this lecture guide.  For example, many of the posters, models, and specimens in these videos will also be available in lab to sketch or photograph.

Now we will put pattern recognition to work by classifying plants.

It can help to learn plant classification with real specimens.

Plants Illustrated

This poster illustrates some of the plants you may not have encountered in the field.

Check your progress

Answer the questions in this video to see if the classification is making senses to you.
Angiosperms are split into two groups: monocots and dicots.  This video compares the structures of plants in these two different groups.
There are so many angiosperm species, the other seed-bearing vascular plants, the gymnosperms, can be overlooked.
The next section highlights leaves including structures, functions, and how they can be used to identify and classify plants.
3b1 Plant Classification

Check your knowledge. Can you:

  • Revisit Linnaean classification, including the hierarchy of groups from Domain to species?
  • Describe how plants are generally classified starting with non-vascular plants through angiosperms?
  • If provided a plant, classify it using these terms: non-vascular or vascular, spore-bearing or seed-bearing, a gymnosperm or an angiosperm, a monocot or a dicot?
Go back to the Plants Guide Overview
Go forward to the Leaves Page

Plants Lecture Guide Contents

This guide and lecture material are assessed on the weekly quiz.
Plant Classification - YOU ARE HERE

Plant Classification - YOU ARE HERE

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Plants

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