In this Grade 7 Life Science lesson from Chapter 7, students explore how taxonomy evolves as new discoveries are made, learning why species are reclassified over time. Students study the three domains — Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya — and the six kingdoms, including Plantae, Animalia, Protista, Fungi, Archaea, and Bacteria. The lesson also covers the key differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and how cell structure forms the basis for modern classification systems.
Section 1
Scientists Organize Life Into Domains and Kingdoms
Modern classification organizes all living things into three domains (Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya) and six kingdoms based on cell structure, energy acquisition methods, and evolutionary relationships.
Section 2
Cells Determine Classification Boundaries
Organisms with nuclei (eukaryotes) belong to Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia kingdoms, while prokaryotic organisms without nuclei fall into Bacteria and Archaea kingdoms.
Section 3
Plants Convert Sunlight Into Energy
Plants in Kingdom Plantae have cell walls and chloroplasts, enabling them to create their own food through photosynthesis. They are multicellular, cannot move, and have been growing on Earth for thousands of years.
Section 4
Animals Consume Food For Energy
Animals in Kingdom Animalia obtain energy by eating other organisms, possess the ability to move, lack cell walls, and include diverse species from microscopic invertebrates to large mammals.
Section 5
Discoveries Transform Classification Systems
As scientists learn more about organisms through DNA analysis and microscopic examination, they update classification systems. What was once two kingdoms has evolved into six kingdoms across three domains.
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Section 1
Scientists Organize Life Into Domains and Kingdoms
Modern classification organizes all living things into three domains (Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya) and six kingdoms based on cell structure, energy acquisition methods, and evolutionary relationships.
Section 2
Cells Determine Classification Boundaries
Organisms with nuclei (eukaryotes) belong to Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia kingdoms, while prokaryotic organisms without nuclei fall into Bacteria and Archaea kingdoms.
Section 3
Plants Convert Sunlight Into Energy
Plants in Kingdom Plantae have cell walls and chloroplasts, enabling them to create their own food through photosynthesis. They are multicellular, cannot move, and have been growing on Earth for thousands of years.
Section 4
Animals Consume Food For Energy
Animals in Kingdom Animalia obtain energy by eating other organisms, possess the ability to move, lack cell walls, and include diverse species from microscopic invertebrates to large mammals.
Section 5
Discoveries Transform Classification Systems
As scientists learn more about organisms through DNA analysis and microscopic examination, they update classification systems. What was once two kingdoms has evolved into six kingdoms across three domains.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter