Fishes, Amphibians, and Reptiles
Life Science - Middle School
Six Kingdoms of Life
Multimedia Lesson
Classification
Presentation
Six Kingdoms Overview
Presentation
Animals
Presentation
Owl Pellet Dissection
Virtual Lab
Classifying Organisms
Virtual Lab
Food Webs
Interactive
Kingdom Identification
Interactive
Fishes, Amphibians, and Reptiles
Study Guide
Fishes, Amphibians, and Reptiles
Quiz
Fishes, Amphibians, and Reptiles
Flash Cards
Fishes, Amphibians, and Reptiles
Worksheet
Fishes, Amphibians, and Reptiles
Game
Fishes, Amphibians, and Reptiles
Vocabulary List
Vertebrates
Flip Chart
Animal Life Cycles
Flip Chart
Fishes, Amphibians & Reptiles
Flip Chart
Fishes, Amphibians & Reptiles
Flip Chart
Study Guide Fishes, Amphibians, and Reptiles
❮
1
/
6
❯
FISHES, AMPHIBIANS, AND REPTILES Characteristics of Chordates and Vertebrates Fish, amphibians, and reptiles are part of a group of animals called vertebrates. All vertebrates are part of the phylum Chordata and the subphylum Vertebrata. Chordates Organisms within the phylum Chordata are called chordates. All chordates have three common characteristics at one point in their life cycle. These characteristics are: pharyngeal slits in their throat area, a notochord, and a nerve cord. A notochord is a rod that is flexible and supports the organism’s back. Most organisms that are vertebrates replace the notochord with a backbone, or spine. Some species have cartilage instead of bone. Cartilage is connective tissue that is flexible and strong, but softer than bone. The nerve cord found in chordates develops into a spinal cord that is part of the nervous system. Humans have a nerve cord called the spinal cord that runs through the backbone. In humans, information travels along the nerve cord from the body to the brain and back. Chordates also have pharyngeal slits at some point in their lives. The pharynx is part of the throat, just behind the mouth. In fish, the pharyngeal slits turn into gills, but in humans the pharyngeal slits disappear before birth. © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted for the purchaser to print copies for non-commercial educational purposes only. Visit us at www.NewPathLearning.com.
Lesson Checkpoint: What is a notochord? What are pharyngeal slits? Vertebrates Vertebrates are chordates that develop backbones. Mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, sharks, and rays are all groups, called classes, of vertebrates. Backbone Development: In all vertebrate species, the notochord develops into a backbone made of vertebrae. Vertebrae are many small bones that are lined up in a row that come together to form the backbone. The vertebrae are flexible because there are joints in between the vertebrae. Each of the vertebrae has a hole in the center where the spinal cord runs through. The backbone protects the spinal cord. The backbone is a part of a vertebrate’s endoskeleton, which supports, gives protection and shape to the body, and provides a surface for muscle tissue to attach. Important characteristics of the endoskeleton of vertebrates are that it: • grows as the organism grows, • supports the pull of gravity, and • allows the organism to move easily. Lesson Checkpoint: What do the vertebrae protect? Body Temperature Control: Vertebrates are also grouped according to the way in which their body temperature is controlled. Fishes, amphibians, and reptiles are ectotherms. An ectotherm is an animal with an internal temperature that is controlled by the environment in which it lives. Ectotherms produce © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted for the purchaser to print copies for non-commercial educational purposes only. Visit us at www.NewPathLearning.com.
very little heat within their bodies. A lizard will sun bathe on a cool desert morning in order to raise its body temperature. The opposite of an ectotherm is an endotherm. An endotherm controls the internal temperature by producing heat, making it nearly the same temperature inside its body at all times. Humans are endotherms. Lesson Checkpoint: What is an endotherm? What is an ectotherm? Fish Gills: Fish use gills to obtain oxygen from the water environment in which they live. The water comes in through the mouth and moves through slits in the throat where it is channeled across the gills. In the gills, the carbon dioxide waste is exchanged for oxygen. Circulatory System: Fish have a closed-circulatory system, allowing blood to reach the cells of the body through blood vessels. Blood moves one-way through the blood vessels from the heart, to the gills, and on to the cells of the body. Reproduction: Fish reproduce using external fertilization. External fertilization is when the female’s eggs are meeting with the male’s sperm outside of the female’s body. Lesson Checkpoint: What is external fertilization? © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted for the purchaser to print copies for non-commercial educational purposes only. Visit us at www.NewPathLearning.com.
Classification: Scientists classify fish into three major groups. They are the jawless fish, cartilaginous fish, and bony fish. The oldest of all vertebrates are the jawless fish. • Jawless Fishes: Jawless fish are the only fish that do not have scales. Their fins are not paired and their skeletons are made of cartilage. Most importantly, jawless fish are not able to bite because, as their name states, they are jawless. Instead, they feed by sucking, stabbing, and scraping their food. There are two types of jawless fish: hagfish and lampreys. • Cartilaginous Fishes: Cartilaginous fishes include rays, sharks, and skates. Just like the skeletons of the jawless fishes, the cartilaginous fish skeletons are made of cartilage. The major difference between the two groups is that the cartilaginous fish have jaws that they can use to bite. They also have fins that are paired. Cartilaginous fish are all carnivores that hunt for food. The majority of sharks are unable to pump water over their gills, so they are only able to sleep in ocean currents. The currents force the water over their gills. When they are not sleeping in the ocean’s currents, they must keep moving so that they are constantly getting the oxygen they need. • Bony Fish: The bony fish are the fish that we know best. They have bodies that are covered with scales and movable flaps that open and close to control the water flow over their gills. The majority of species of bony fish have an organ called a swim bladder. The swim bladder is a gas-filled sac that stabilizes the fish’s body at different depths in the water. The amount of gas that is in the swim bladder is controlled by the fish and can be adjusted by the fish. Bony fishes are the most abundant of all the fishes and vary drastically in their physical characteristics. Lesson Checkpoint: What are the three major groups of fish? © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted for the purchaser to print copies for non-commercial educational purposes only. Visit us at www.NewPathLearning.com.
Amphibians An amphibian is a vertebrate that is ectothermic. Most amphibians live the beginning of their lives in the water. Once they reach adulthood, they live on land, only to return to the water to reproduce. Life Cycle: Amphibians lay eggs in the water, where the eggs hatch into larvae. The larvae have gills and undergo metamorphosis when entering the adult phase. Circulatory System: The circulatory systems of tadpoles and frogs vary. The tadpole has a single loop system, while the adult frog has a double looped system. Most amphibians’ hearts consist of three chambers. The atria are the upper two chambers of the heart, while the lower or center chamber is the ventricle. The oxygen-rich blood and oxygen-poor blood enters the heart through the atria. The blood then moves into the ventricle of the heart where the oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood mix together and is pumped back through the circulatory system. Lesson Checkpoint: What is the role of the atria and the ventricle in an amphibian’s heart? Types of Amphibians: Examples of amphibians include frogs, toads, and salamanders. The adult skeletons of most amphibians are strong with muscular limbs, which they adapted for better movement on land. Lesson Checkpoint: What are some examples of amphibians? © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted for the purchaser to print copies for non-commercial educational purposes only. Visit us at www.NewPathLearning.com.
Reptiles A reptile is a vertebrate that is ectothermic and has scaly skin and a pair of lungs. Lizards, snakes, turtles, tortoises, and crocodiles are all examples of reptiles. Adapted for Life on Land: A reptile has the ability to spend its entire life on land. Land animals can be considered similar to a water balloon. They hold water inside of the body. Adaptations of land animals for conserving water include eggs, skin, and kidneys. The eggs of reptiles are internally fertilized. After fertilization, the egg forms a membrane and a shell that surrounds the embryo. The membrane and shell protect the egg and keep it from losing water. This allows reptiles to lay their eggs on land. Lesson Checkpoint: What two features of a reptile’s egg enable it to survive on land? The skin of reptiles is tough and is covered with scales, which keeps water inside of their bodies. The kidneys of reptiles filter wastes to be excreted by the body in watery liquid called urine. The kidneys keep the majority of water inside of the body while filtering the wastes. Lesson Checkpoint: What three adaptations of land animals help them keep water in their bodies? © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted for the purchaser to print copies for non-commercial educational purposes only. Visit us at www.NewPathLearning.com.
Table Of Contents: Six Kingdoms of Life
1. Classification
2.1. Why Do Scientists Classify Organisms?
There are millions of types of organisms that live on Earth. A classification system helps scientists study, record and share information about organisms in a systematic and useful way.
2.2. How Are Organisms Classified?
The science of classification is called taxonomy. Organisms are classified according to shared characteristics such as cell structure, physical appearance, how they obtain food and method of reproduction.
2.3. DNA Technology and Classification
DNA technology is also playing a role in classification. The study of gene sequences and mutations has enabled scientists to understand the evolutionary relationships between different organisms.
2.4. Levels of Classification
There are seven levels of classification—kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species.
2.5. Scientific Name
Each organism is identified by its scientific name, which includes the genus and species. For example, humans are called Homo sapiens.
2. Six Kingdoms Overview
3.1. What Are the Six Kingdoms?
All organisms are classified into six different kingdoms—archaebacteria, eubacteria, protists, fungi, plants and animals.
3.2. Archaebacteria and Eubacteria
From an evolutionary perspective, archaebacteria and eubacteria are the simplest organisms, having evolved billions of years ago.
3.3. Protists
Protists are more complex organisms with a variety of characteristics. Scientists believe that protists evolved from bacteria.
3.4. Fungi, Plants and Animals
Fungi, plants and animals all evolved from different types of protists.
3. Archaebacteria and Eubacteria
4.1. Characteristics of Bacteria
Bacteria are simple unicellular organisms that can be found in nearly every environment on Earth. All bacteria are prokaryotic—they do not have a true nucleus or organelles with membranes.
4.2. Two Bacterial Groups
DNA studies suggest that there are two distinct groups of bacteria. Therefore bacteria are divided into two kingdoms—archaebacteria and eubacteria.
4.3. Where Are Archaebacteria Found?
Some archaebacteria are found in extreme environments, such as hot springs and salt lakes, while other species live in the ocean and soil.
4.4. Where Are Eubacteria Found?
Eubacteria are more common than archaebacteria and are found in soil, water and our bodies.
4.5. Beneficial and Harmful Bacteria
Archaebacteria and eubacteria are diverse kingdoms of organisms that contribute to oxygen production, food production, decomposition, medical applications and biotechnology. Some bacteria are harmful and cause disease.
4. Protists
5.1. Characteristics of Protists
Protists are eukaryotic organisms that have a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. They typically live in or near water and can be unicellular or multicellular.
5.2. Variety of Protists
The protist kingdom includes organisms that are not classified as plants, animals or fungi. Protists are difficult to categorize because there is a wide variation of characteristics among species.
5.3. Protist Groups
Protists are often grouped according to whether they are animal-like, plant-like or fungus-like.
5.4. Protozoa
Animal-like protists are known as protozoa. They are single-celled organisms that move to find food. Amoeba and paramecium are classified as protozoa.
5.5. Algae
Plant-like protists, called algae, contain chloroplasts and make their own food by the process of photosynthesis. They are primarily found in fresh water. Examples include volvox, euglena and spirogyra.
5.6. Fungus-Like Protists
Fungus-like protists are heterotrophs that feed on decomposing matter. They reproduce using spores. Water molds, downy mildew and slime molds are fungus-like protists.
5. Pause and Interact
6.1. Review
Use the whiteboard text tool to complete the activity.
6. Fungi
7.1. Characteristics of Fungi
Fungi are heterotrophic eukaryotes that absorb nutrients from decomposing matter. Most are multicellular, but some, like yeast, are unicellular.
7.2. Parts of a Fungus
The bodies of most fungi are composed of filaments called hyphae. These hyphae grow into a large mass of cells called mycelium.
7.3. Fungus Reproduction
Most fungi reproduce using spores. Fungi are classified into three groups according to their sexual reproductive structures—zygote, sac and club fungi.
7.4. Beneficial Fungi
Many fungi are beneficial organisms, contributing to the recycling of nutrients, food production and medical advances.
7.5. Harmful Fungi
There are some fungi that are harmful and cause disease in animals and plants.
7. Plants
8.1. Plant Characteristics
Plants are multicellular eukaryotes that live primarily on land. They are autotrophic, obtaining energy through photosynthesis.
8.2. Cellulose and Chloroplasts
Plant cells are distinct because they have cell walls composed of cellulose. Chloroplasts inside the cells contain the pigment chlorophyll that is needed for photosynthesis.
8.3. How Are Plants Classified?
Plants are classified according to whether they have vascular systems, produce seeds and develop flowers.
8.4. Nonvascular Plants
Nonvascular plants absorb water and nutrients directly from their surroundings. They are seedless and are considered to be the most ancient land plants. Examples include liverworts, mosses and hornworts.
8.5. Seedless Vascular Plants
Ferns, club mosses and horsetails are seedless vascular plants that reproduce using spores. The vascular tissues, xylem and phloem, carry water and nutrients throughout the plant.
8.6. Gymnosperms
Gymnosperms are vascular plants that produce seeds, but do not have flowers. The seeds of most gymnosperms develop in the scales of cones.
8.7. Angiosperms
Angiosperms are flowering vascular plants that produce seeds inside a fruit.
8. Pause and Interact
9.1. Review
Use the whiteboard tools to complete the activity.
9. Animals
10.1. Animal Characteristics
All organisms in the animal kingdom are multicellular heterotrophs, and their cells lack cell walls. Most animals reproduce sexually, have some type of nervous system and are capable of movement.
10.2. Major Animal Groups
There are over 1.5 million known species of animals. This branching tree shows how major animal groups are possibly related.
10.3. Invertebrates
Invertebrates are animals without backbones. These animals live in water and on land. They account for over 95% of the known animal species.
10.4. Invertebrate Groups
Some of the major groups of invertebrates include sponges, worms, mollusks, echinoderms, cnidarians and arthropods.
10.5. Vertebrates
Vertebrates have a spinal cord encased by protective vertebrae. They also have an endoskeleton that is composed of cartilage or bone. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals are all vertebrates.
10. Pause and Interact
11.1. Kingdom Identification
Drag and drop each organism into the correct kingdom.
11. Vocabulary Review
12.1. Six Kingdoms of Life Vocabulary Matching
All organisms in the animal kingdom are multicellular heterotrophs, and their cells lack cell walls. Most animals reproduce sexually, have some type of nervous system and are capable of movement.
12. Virtual Investigation
13.1. Classifying Organisms
In this virtual investigation you will classify several organisms according to their distinguishing characteristics. Use the information provided and your knowledge of the six kingdoms to help identify each organism.
13. Assessment
14.1. Six Kingdoms of Life
NewPath Learning
About Us Our Team Awards & Endorsements Grants & Funding Product Suggestions Custom Publishing Collaborate Online Our BlogSolutions
Review & Reinforcement Intervention & Enrichment Test Prep After School/Summer School Parental Involvement Professional DevelopmentShop By Product
Curriculum Mastery Games Flip Charts Visual Learning Guides Curriculum Learning Modules E-Books/Workbooks Posters & Charts Study/Vocabulary Cards Digital Curriculum Online Learning Online Printable WorksheetsShop By Grade
Early Childhood First Grade Second Grade Third Grade Fourth Grade Fifth Grade Sixth Grade Seventh Grade Eighth Grade High School
© 2025 NewPath Learning all right reserved | Privacy Statements | Term of use | Website design WinMix Soft
