WEEKLY LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS

Earth and Life Science Grade 11, Quarter 2, Week 6

Evolution: Systematics

Name: ___________________________________________ Section: ____________________

Learning Competency:
Describe how the present system of classification of organisms is based on evolutionary
relationships. (S11/12LT-IVfg- 27)

Specific Objectives:
1. Describe how organisms may be related to one another by their characteristics.
2. Classify the organisms with the same trait and characteristics, and evolutionary
relationship.

Time Allotment: 2 hours

Key Concepts

Naming Organisms

• Biologists have identified about 1.8 million species of extant (currently living)
organisms and estimate that several million more remain to be discovered. To study
life, we need a system for organizing, naming, and classifying its myriad forms.
• Systematics is the field of biology that studies the diversity of organisms and their
evolutionary relationships.
• Taxonomy, a subspecialty of systematics, is the science of naming and classifying
organisms. The goal of systematics is to determine evolutionary relationships, or
phylogeny, based on shared characteristics. Homology, the presence in two or more
species of a trait derived from a recent common ancestor, implies evolution from a
common ancestor (Solomon, 2008).
• In the 18th century Carolus Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist, developed a hierarchical
system of naming and classifying organisms that, with some modification, is still used
today. The narrowest category of classification is the species, a group of organisms
with similar structure, function, and behavior. A species consists of one or more
populations whose members are capable of breeding with one another; in nature, they
do not breed with members of other species (Mackean, 2014).
• The Linnaean system of naming species is known as the binomial system of
nomenclature because each species is assigned a two-part name. The first part of the
name is the genus, and the second part, the specific epithet, designates a particular
species belonging to that genus. The specific epithet is often a descriptive word
expressing some quality of the organism. It is always used together with the full or
abbreviated generic name preceding it. The generic name’s first letter is always
capitalized; the specific epithet is generally not capitalized. Both names are always
italicized or underlined. For example, the domestic dog, Canis familiaris (abbreviated
C. familiaris), and the timber wolf, Canis lupus (C. lupus), belong to the same genus.

Author: OMBROSA, King Royd Tyronne C.

School/Station: Trento National High School
Division: Agusan del Sur
email address: kingroydtyronne.ombrosa@deped.gov.ph
 Classifying Organisms

• Just as closely related species may be grouped in a common genus, related genera can
be grouped in a more inclusive group, a family. Families are grouped into orders,
orders into classes, and classes into phyla (sing., phylum). Biologists group phyla into
kingdoms, and kingdoms are assigned to domains.
• Each formal grouping at any given level is a taxon (pl., taxa). Note that each taxon is
more inclusive than the taxon below it. Together they form a hierarchy ranging from
species to domain. Consider a specific example. The family Canidae, which includes
all doglike carnivores (animals that eat mainly meat), consists of 12 genera and about
34 living species. Family Canidae, along with family Ursidae (bears), family Felidae
(catlike animals), and several other families that eat mainly meat, are all placed in
order Carnivora. Order Carnivora, order Primates (to which chimpanzees and humans
belong), and several other orders belong to class Mammalia (mammals). Class
Mammalia is grouped with several other classes that include fishes, amphibians,
reptiles, and birds in subphylum Vertebrata. The vertebrates belong to phylum
Chordata, which is part of kingdom Animalia. Animals are assigned to domain
Eukarya.

Example: Classification of the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)

Domain Eukarya: Organisms that

have nuclei and other membrane
enclosed organelles.
Kingdom Animalia: Multicellular
heterotrophs (cannot manufacture
its own food); many exhibit tissue
differentiation and complex organ
systems.

Phylum Chordata: Presence of

notochord and nerve cord.

Class Mammalia: Presence of

mammary gland, glands specialized
to produce milk.

Order Primates: Almost all living

primates have prehensile hands and
feet, and most have five digits on
these appendages including
opposable thumbs for grasping.
Family Pongidae: Pear-shaped
skulls; knuckle walking locomotion;
large, bony eye sockets and large
nasal opening.
Genus Pan: Arms longer than legs;
fingers are long with short thumbs.
Species Pan troglodytes: Bare skin
on their faces, ears, palms of their
Image from Biology, Eight Edition. Solomon Berg Martin 2008 hands and soles of their feet.

Author: OMBROSA, King Royd Tyronne C.

School/Station: Trento National High School
Division: Agusan del Sur
email address: kingroydtyronne.ombrosa@deped.gov.ph
 Ancestry of Organisms

• Modern biologists link classification with evolution. Their goal is to reconstruct

phylogeny (literally, “production of phyla”), the evolutionary history of a group of
organisms from a common ancestor. As they determine evolutionary relationships
among and between species and higher taxa, systematists build classifications based
on common ancestry. Consequently, systematics reflects the integration of all
evolutionary processes and evolutionary evidence and thus is at the center of how we
understand and explain the nonrandom occurrence and relationships of lifeforms on
Earth.
• Systematists construct phylogenetic trees to graphically represent the evolutionary
history of a group of species. We can construct a type of phylogenetic tree called a
cladogram to illustrate the evolutionary relationships among groups of organisms as
given below.

Example 1.a: Common Ancestry of all Living Organisms. Image from Biology, Eight Edition. Solomon Berg Martin 2008

Figure 1.b: Cladogram of the Vertebrate Chordates. Figure 1.c: Phylogenic Tree of Fungi
Image from Purves et al., Life: The Science of Biology, 4th Edition Image from sites.google.com/site/hedchoothai

Author: OMBROSA, King Royd Tyronne C.

School/Station: Trento National High School
Division: Agusan del Sur
email address: kingroydtyronne.ombrosa@deped.gov.ph
Figure 1.d: Cladogram of Land Plants Figure 1.e: Cladogram of Insects
Image from Biology, Eight Edition. Solomon Berg Martin 2008 Image from Biocyclopedia 2020

• Molecular systematics is the use of molecules to determine classification systems

and relationships (Smith, 2020). Early scientists use morphology (overall appearance
to identify and classify organisms), this has been important for the basic
understanding of organism relationships however bears limitations. One example is
Homology which assumes that two similar structures have the same evolutionary
origin. In other words, the trait arose in an ancestor and was passed down to its
descendants.

Figure 2: Homology in Animals. Image from Biology, Eight Edition. Solomon Berg Martin 2008

• Molecular systematics is the discipline of classifying organisms based on variations in

protein and DNA in order to make fine taxonomic categorizations not solely dependent
on morphology (Weaver, 2020). DNA evolves by mutations being contained in the DNA
and fixed in populations. This will start a deviation of DNA sequences in various
species.

Author: OMBROSA, King Royd Tyronne C.

School/Station: Trento National High School
Division: Agusan del Sur
email address: kingroydtyronne.ombrosa@deped.gov.ph
Exercises / Activities

Activity No. 1: Are we all related?

What you need: Pen, Paper
What to do: You look at the pictures of the organisms below. Identify the taxon(s) that they belong
to and list down two characteristics that they share. An example is provided below.

Organism Taxon/s Shared Characteristics

Domain: • Both are

Eukarya autotrophs (can
produce their own
Kingdom: food).
Plantae
• Multicellular.

A) Fern B) Gingko Tree

Domain:

Kingdom:

1. A) Jellyfish B) Centipede
Domain:

Kingdom:

2. A) Bread Mold B) Mushroom

Domain:

Kingdom:

3. A) Sea star B) Sea Turtle

Author: OMBROSA, King Royd Tyronne C.

School/Station: Trento National High School
Division: Agusan del Sur
email address: kingroydtyronne.ombrosa@deped.gov.ph
 Domain:

Kingdom:

Phylum:

Class:

4. A) Bat B) Human
Domain:

Kingdom:

5. A) Waterlily B) Pea plant

Guide Questions
1. In what ways organisms are related to one another? (Explain in 2-3 sentences)
2. How do similar characteristics of organisms prove evolution? (Explain in 2-3
sentences)

Rubrics
2 – Ideas are expressed scientifically, consistent to the concepts and has no misconception.
1 - Ideas are expressed scientifically, consistent to the concepts but with misconception.
0 - No discussion.

Author: OMBROSA, King Royd Tyronne C.

School/Station: Trento National High School
Division: Agusan del Sur
email address: kingroydtyronne.ombrosa@deped.gov.ph
Activity No. 2: Tree of Life
What you need: Pen, Paper
What to do: You supply the “tree” with appropriate organisms found on the organismal pool below.
The organisms should share the same trait and characteristics as described by the “branch”. An
example is done for you.

Organismal Pool

Monkey Human Whale Maya Bird Kingfisher Brown Deer House Lizard
Acacia Tree Scorpion Molds Mushroom Spider Fruit Bat Tortoise

14. Human
13. Monkey

Has hands for

gripping.

9. 10. 11.
8.

12.
Lay eggs Produces milk

6. 7.
5.
4.

Warm blooded Cold blooded

Without backbone

Feed on another organism

2. 3.

Feed on decaying
1.
materials

Multicellular

Author: OMBROSA, King Royd Tyronne C.

School/Station: Trento National High School
Division: Agusan del Sur
email address: kingroydtyronne.ombrosa@deped.gov.ph
Guide Questions
1. Do similar characteristics mean similar ancestry? Why? (2-3 Sentences)
2. Why do you think organisms develop traits/characteristics different from another? (2-3
Sentences)
3. Explain how classification of organisms important in understanding evolution. (2-3
Sentences)

Rubrics
2 – Ideas are expressed scientifically, consistent to the concepts and has no misconception.
1 - Ideas are expressed scientifically, consistent to the concepts but with misconception.
0 - No discussion.

Reflection
Directions: Which of the concepts listed in the table below interest you the most? The least? Please
put a check mark to the column that corresponds your answer.

Concepts Most Interesting Least Interesting

Naming Organisms
Classifying Organisms
Ancestry of Organisms

Directions: In a separate sheet of paper, answer the following questions in two sentences.
1. Did the activities help you understand the topic? Why?
2. What could be the significance and applications of the topic in your life?

Reference for learners:

DG Mackean, Dave Hayward. 2014. Biology Third Edition. London: Cambridge International.

Eldra Solomon, Linda Berg, and Diana Martin. 2008. Biology, Eight Edition. California: Thomson
Brooks/Cole.

Mauro, Diego San. 2010. "Molecular systematics: A synthesis of the common methods and the
state of knowledge." Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters.

Shefferly, Nancy. 2020. "Pan troglodytes." University of Michigan: Museum of Zoology.

Smith, James F. 2020. Encyclopedia.com. https://www.encyclopedia.com/plants-and-

animals/botany/botany-general/molecular-
systematics#:~:text=Molecular%20systematics%20is%20the%20use%20of%20molecular%
20genetics%20to%20study,that%20create%20diversity%20among%20species.

Weaver, Nancy. 2020. Encyclopedia.com. https://www.encyclopedia.com/plants-and-

animals/botany/botany-general/molecular-
systematics#:~:text=Molecular%20systematics%20is%20the%20use%20of%20molecular%
20genetics%20to%20study,that%20create%20diversity%20among%20species.

Author: OMBROSA, King Royd Tyronne C.

School/Station: Trento National High School
Division: Agusan del Sur
email address: kingroydtyronne.ombrosa@deped.gov.ph
 email address: kingroydtyronne.ombrosa@deped.gov.ph
Division: Agusan del Sur
School/Station: Trento National High School
Author: OMBROSA, King Royd Tyronne C.
Activity No. 2: Tree of Life
1. Acacia Tree 2/3. Mold, Mushroom 4/5. Scorpion, Spider
6/7. House Lizard, Tortoise 8/9. Maya Bird, Kingfisher
10/11/12. Whale, Fruit Bat, Brown Deer
Supplementary Questions
1. Do similar characteristics mean similar ancestry? Why?
No, however might prove common recent ancestors. Birds and butterflies have different
distant ancestors even with common characteristics (flight).
2. Why do you think organisms develop traits/characteristics different from another?
This could be explained based on their adaptation. To better adapt to its environment,
organisms develop different characteristics suitable for survival.
3. Explain how classification of organisms important in understanding evolution.
(Answers may vary)
Activity 1: Are we all related?
Jellyfish and Centipede Domain: Eukarya Multicellular; Heterotrophs;
Kingdom: Animalia Invertebrates.
Bread Mold and Mushroom Domain: Eukarya Multicellular; Detritivores.
Kingdom: Fungi Non-vascular.
Sea Star and Sea Turtle Domain: Eukarya Multicellular; Heterotrophs.
Kingdom: Animalia
Bat and Human Domain Eukarya Multicellular; Heterotrophs;
Kingdom: Animalia Notochord is present; Has
Phylum: Chordata mammary glands and secretes
Class: Mammalia milk.
Water lily and Pea plant Domain: Eukarya Multicellular; Autotrophs;
Kingdom: Plantae Photosynthetic; Flowering
plants.
Supplementary Questions
1. In what ways organisms are related to one another?
Organisms are related to one another in terms of common ancestry. Relationships
among organisms can also be observed based on their shared characteristics however,
is limited only to those who have common body parts (example, bats and humans are
closer relatives that butterflies even both bats and butterflies are capable of flight).
2. How do similar characteristics of organisms prove evolution?
Similar shared characteristics are more common to closer relative organisms. This
similar characteristics might prove a common distant ancestor.
Answer Key