1.

0 Acknowlwdgement

2.0 Objective

3.0 Introduction
What is Biodiversity?
The wide variety of organisms on Earth in known
asbiodiversity or biological diversity.. The Variety of organisms can be classified using
anappropriate classification method.
4.0 Classification of Organisms
A classification system is required to group living thingsmethodically because of their
large number and types
Although they possess common characteristic, organismsfrom the same species
still have distinctive characteristicswhich differentiate them from other species
Classification is important to enable more in-depth scientificstudies to be carried out for
the improvement of the speciesthemselves.
5.0 Classification of Animals
Groups of animals can be classified according to similaritiesin characteristics, features
and structures.
Common characteristics are characteristics that arepossessed by two or more types of
species
.Common characteristics in animals include methods of reproduction, types of food
habitats and physical features
.Classification of animals by common characteristics:

5.1 Vertebrates
Vertebrates can be divided into five groups, namely fish,amphibians, reptiles birds and
mammals.
The characteristics of vertebrates as follows:

Characteristics:
1. Live in the water
2. Cold-blooded (poikilothermic)
3. Streamlined body, covered with slimy scales
4. Breathe with gills
5. Most lay eggs. A few such as sharks and seahorses givebirth to young
6. Move using fins and tail

Characteristics:
1. Can live on land and in the waterthe young live in water
2. Cold-blooded (poikilothermic)
3. Body is covered with moist skin
4. Breathe with lungs
5. Lay eggs
6. Move using limbs and tail
7. Examples : Toad , frog and salamander

Characteristics:
1. Live on land and in thewater
2. Cold-blooded(poikilothermic)
3. Have dry, hard scaly skin
4. Breathe with lungs
5. Lay eggs
6. Move using limbs and tail
7. Examples : snake, crocodile, lizards, tortoises

Characteristics:
1. Live on land
2. Warm-blooded(homoeothermic)
3. Body is covered withfeathers
4. Breathe with lungs
5. Lay eggs
6. Move using wigs and legs
7. Have beaks

Characteristics:
1. Some live on land and some live in water
2. Warm-blooded (homoeothermic)
3. Body is covered with hair or fur
4. Breathe with lungs
5. Give birth to young except platypuses andanteaters6
. Move using limbs
7. Young feed milk from the mothers mammaryglands
8. Examples :Tiger,rabbit, elephant,whale, camel, cats

5.2 Invertebrates
Invertebrates are animals without backbones
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 The support system of invertebrates consists of:

-Exoskeleton such as hard shell. Examples are crabs, prawns andcentipedes.
-Hydrostatic frame. Examples are earthworms, caterpillars andplanarians.
Generally, the physical characteristics of invertebrates aresimpler thanvertebrates
Most microorganisms are invertebrates.
For examples,coelenterates ( Hydraand jellyfish) and protozoa (Paramecium and
Amoeba).

5.3 Classification of Plants

Plants too can be classified according to their commoncharacteristics.
Common characteristics of plants include propagationmethod, habitat andphysical
features.

Plant Kingdom
Different scientists classify plants by different characteristics
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Plants can also be grouped by the presence or absence of seeds as follows:

Plants can also be divided into flowering and non-floweringplants.

a. Flowering Plants
Flowering plants are plants that can produce flowers
Flowers are reproductive organs of flowering plants.
Flowering plants can be divided into groups, themonocotyledons and thedicotyledons,
depending on the number of cotyledons in theseeds.
Cotyledons is the main seed leaf for the germination of newseedlings.
Cotyledons contains starch as food for the seeds that areunable to maketheir own
food.
.Example :Sun flower,Tulip, Orchid

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b. Non-Flowering Plants
Non-flowering plants are plants that do not produce flowers.
Non-flowers plants need to reproduce by other means, forexample, through spores
Non-flowering plants can be divided into four groups, namelyalgae, mosses, conifers,
and ferns.

6.0 Benefits of Biodiversity

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Source of food
Source of materials
Source of medicine
Clean wate
rAir to breathe
7.0 Human Activities That Cause Animals & PlantsBecome Endangered
African elephants are hunted for their ivory tusks to make jewellery and ornaments
Sharks are killed for their fins to make special delicacies.
Seabirds have been killed by oil spills
.Gorillas are killed and served as food. Their palms are used tomake ashtrays.
8.0 Ways to Protect Endangered Wildlife
Setting up natural reserves
.Enforcing legislation: banning hunting, collecting or trading of these wildlife
.Protecting their habitats
.Breeding them in zoos to increase their number
.Increase awareness regarding the importance of biodiversityto the environment
through education and campaigns.
9.0 Discussion
1.What is the difference between vertebrates andinvertebrates?
2. Which type of vertebrates breath through lungs?
3.Which type of vertebrates lay eggs?
4.Which type of vertebrates has coldblooded?
5.State three similarities between birds and mammals
6..A whale is classified as a mammal and not a fish.Give three reasons for this.
7.Frog can breath both on land and in water.How can frogs do so?
10.0 Conclusion
There is a large variety of animals on the Earth.It can be said that there is
diversity among animals. These animals differs from one another in size, shapeand
appearance. Invertebrates are animals which do not have back bonesand most of them
are insect.Invertebrates are usually very small because they do nothave backbones to s
upport heavy weight. Vertebrates are animals with backbones and can differentiate.

Refference
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