Chapter 4- Classification and

biodiversity
4.1 The classification of marine organisms
4.1.1 describe the classification of species into the taxonomic hierarchy of
domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species

4.1.2 understand and use the binomial system of species nomenclature

→ Each marine organism has a name in latin composed of two parts, the genus
followed by the species.
*The genus is given a capital letter whereas the species is always lower case
*When writting a binomail name by hand you should underline it (for example
Prionace glauca)

4.1.3 construct and use simple dichotomous keys based on easily identifiable
features
Dichotomous keys are made up of pairs of contrasting descriptions,
constructed so that the sequential choice of one of each pair leads to the name
of the organism

Chapter 4- Classification and biodiversity 1

 4.2 Key groups of marine organisms
4.2.1 define plankton as a diverse collection of generally microscopic
organisms that have limited motility and drift in water currents

Plankton- organism that cannot swim against the currents

4.2.2 understand that phytoplankton are producers which absorb nutrients

from their environment (like all producers) and obtain their nutrition by
photosynthesis; examples include microscopic algae such as diatoms and
dinoflagellates

Phytoplankton are producers which absorb nutrients from their environment

and obtain their nutrition by photosynthesis (photosynthetic plankton)

Examples include:

Microscopic algae

Diatoms (unicellular phytoplankton with silica cell wall)

Dinoflagellates (unicellular phytoplankton but don’t have the

silica cell wall)

4.2.3 understand that zooplankton are consumers; examples include larvae,

copepods and larger animals such as jellyfish

Zooplankton are consumers (planktonic animals)

Examples include:

Larvae

Copepods

Chapter 4- Classification and biodiversity 2

 Jellyfish

4.2.4 state the main features of a typical adult echinoderm, limited to

pentaradial symmetry and tube feet

Main features of a typical adult

ecinoderm:

Pentaradial symmetry

Tube feet

4.2.5 understand the ecological and economic importance of echinoderms,

including the crown of thorns starfish

ECOLOGICAL ECONOMIC

Crown of thorms starfish eats the coral

Some echinoderms are herbivores
(healthy reef = higher income)

Sea cucumbers and sea urchins can be a

source of income when they are used in
Some echinoderms are carnivores
agriculture, fishing, food and scientific
industries.

On sandy shores, echinoderms such as

sea cucumbers filter seawater, and Research scientists also use sea urchins as
burrow into the substrate, providing model organisms to help study
increased oxygen to organisms that live developmental biology.
hidden in the sand.

4.2.6 state the main features of a typical adult crustacean, including

carapace, segmented abdomen, jointed legs and two pairs of antennae.

Chapter 4- Classification and biodiversity 3

 Main features of a typical adult
crustacean:

Carapace

Segmented abdomen

Jointed legs

Two pairs of antennae (long and

short)

4.2.7 understand the ecological and economic importance of crustaceans,

including Antarctic krill

ECOLOGICAL ECONOMIC

Are crucial to the recycling of mineral

nutrients as they often occupy the niche Large crustaceans are consumed by
of decomposers consuming dead and humans
decaying matter.

Small zooplanktonic crustaceans form the

biggest group of living creatures on Earth
They also assist in maintaining the health
and are a crucial in the ocean food chain
of seagrass meadows
and help support the seafood that we
consume.

Krill oil contains omega-3 fatty acids and

antioxidants and is sold as a dietary
Food source for many marine organisms
supplement to lower blood lipid and help
alleviate arthritis pain

Many animals feed on antarctic krill

Global warming can result in a decrease

in krill population due to the rise in ocean
temperatures leading to a change in
ocean currents and a retreat in the
Antarctic sea ice.

4.2.8 state the main internal and external features of a typical adult bony
fish, including bony skeleton, operculum, gills, swim bladder, scales,
externally visible lateral line, fins (pectoral, caudal, pelvic, anal and dorsal)

Chapter 4- Classification and biodiversity 4

 External features of a typical adult
bony fish:

Operculum

Scales

Lateral line

Fins

Internal features of a typical adult

bony fish:

Bony skeleton

Gills

Swim bladder

4.2.9 understand the ecological and economic importance of bony fish,

including the Peruvian anchoveta

ECOLOGICAL ECONOMIC

Responsible for storing a significant

proportion of marine organic nutrients in Food for human consumption
their tissue.

When bony fish excrete, they release The Peruvian anchoveta fishery isthe
nitrates, phosphates and other dissolved biggest single species fishery in the world
nutrients in a form that can be readily and is of pivotal importance to the economy
absorbed by primary producers. of local communities.

Food for larger fishes

4.2.10 state the main internal and external features of a typical adult
cartilaginous fish, including cartilaginous skeleton, gill slits, gills, denticles,
lateral line, fins (pectoral, caudal, pelvic, anal and dorsal)

Chapter 4- Classification and biodiversity 5

 Main external features of a typical
adult cartilaginous fish:

4.2.11 understand the ecological and economic importance of cartilaginous

fish, including the blue shark

ECOLOGICAL ECONOMIC

Sharks often consume sick, dying, weak

People eat blue shark meet (and other
animals which mantains healthy fish
sharks)
population

Sharks make up more than 500 of the

approximately 1250 species of Some sharks are used in aquariums
cartilaginous fish

Shark liver oil is used to treat leukemia and

other cancers

Shark cartilage is also used in medicine

Shark’s fins are highly prized

Shark leather is used in the manufacture of

boots, wallets and belts.

4.2.12 understand that bony fish and cartilaginous fish are both chordates
(i.e. in the Phylum Chordata) and that all organisms in this phylum share
common features (at some point in
their development), including notochord, dorsal neural tube, pharyngeal slits
and post-anal tail

→ Bony fish and cartilaginous fish are both chordates

→ All organisms in this phylum share common features at some point in their
development

Some of this features are:

Chapter 4- Classification and biodiversity 6

 Notochord→ is a flexible, rod-shaped organ that extends the length of the
body and allows the body to bend during muscle contractions

Dorsal neutral tube→ is a tube-shaped organ that extends the length of the
body. During development, the forwards end becomes the brain while the
rear end becomes the spinal cord.

Pharyngeal slits→ Is linked to the mouth cavity and the digestive system.

Post-anal tail→ Is mainly used for swimming and is located to the rear of the
fish

4.2.13 state the main features of a typical macroalga, such as kelp, including
holdfast, stipe, gas bladders and blades

Main features of a typical macroalga:

Holdfast

Stipe

Gas bladder

Blades

Chapter 4- Classification and biodiversity 7

 4.2.14 understand the ecological and economic importance of macroalgae,
including kelp

ECOLOGICAL ECONOMIC

They provide oxygen for organisms to

Humans eat kelp
respire

They provide food for herbivores Humans use kelp for shampoo

Protection from predators and waves Kelp is used in medicine

Habitat for organisms

4.2.15 state the main features of a typical marine plant, such as seagrass,
including rhizome, roots, flowers and leaves

Main features of a typical marine

plant:

Rhizome

Roots

Flowers

Leaves

4.2.16 understand the ecological and economic importance of marine plants,

including seagrass

ECOLOGICAL ECONOMIC

Foundation of aquatic communities with Provide food, habitat, nursery-ground

high biodiversity (benefit for fisheries)

Marine plants and phytoplankton are the

dominant producers in estuarine habitats
and are a direct source of food energy for
marine primary consumers.

Convert light energy into chmical energy

for the rest of the food chain

Provide oxygen

Chapter 4- Classification and biodiversity 8