1.2 To classify animals according to their characteristics

Natural sciences

Ecosystems and the environmental balance

Educator section

Memorandum

Leaner section

Content

Activity: to classify animals according to their characteristics [lo 2.2]

Animals with a backbone or spinal column and an internal skeleton (endoskeleton) are placed in one group and animals without a backbone or a spinal column are placed in another group. Animals in the group with a spinal column are called vertebrates or Vertebrata. Animals in the group without a backbone or spinal column are called invertebrates or Invertebrata. The bodies of some of the Invertebrata are protected by a hard covering on the outside, e.g. the crab or the grasshopper. This hard covering is known as the external skeleton or exoskeleton.

An interesting question: fungi are not indicated as part of either the plants or the animals. Try to found out where they belong.

Assignment 4:

Study the following sketches and group the animals on the basis of the preceding diagram.

(i) Criteria for sorting vertebrates

Vertebrates can be sorted on the basis of their type of body covering.

Assignment 5:

Consult the diagram once again and provide a diagrammatical representation of the various vertebrates with their specific body covering. Be creative and use illustrations as well as words.

Assessment

Learning Outcome 2: The learner will know and be able to interpret and apply scientific, technological and environmental knowledge.

Assessment Standard 2.2: We know this when the learner categorises information.