B1 Characteristics and classification: key vocabulary
Sixteen key words for IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences topic B1 (characteristics and classification of living organisms), with the Vietnamese meaning, how to say each word, a picture and an example. Ends with a test section, and a typing trainer on the site that also practises twelve general science words.
Practice
- B1 Characteristics and classification: vocabulary trainer – Practise 28 words by typing them: the 16 words of the unit and 12 general science words (describe, compare, evidence). Questions give a definition, a sound or an example sentence; words you miss come back, words you know come back later.
Transcript
Welcome. Here are sixteen key words for topic B one, characteristics and classification. Listen to each word. Read the Vietnamese meaning. Then look at the picture.
organism. organism. An organism is a living thing. Here is an example. A plant, an animal and a fungus are all organisms.
characteristic. characteristic. A characteristic is a feature that helps to describe something. Here is an example. Growth is a characteristic of all living things.
nutrition. nutrition. Nutrition is taking in food and using it for energy, growth and repair. Here is an example. Plants get their nutrition by photosynthesis.
respiration. respiration. Respiration is the chemical reactions in cells that release energy from food. Here is an example. Respiration happens in every living cell.
sensitivity. sensitivity. Sensitivity is the ability to detect changes and respond to them. Here is an example. Sensitivity helps an animal to find food and avoid danger.
excretion. excretion. Excretion is removing waste made by the body's chemical reactions. Here is an example. Excretion removes carbon dioxide and urea from the body.
reproduction. reproduction. Reproduction is making more organisms of the same kind. Here is an example. Reproduction keeps a species alive.
classification. classification. Classification is sorting living things into groups. Here is an example. Classification puts similar organisms in the same group.
species. species. A species is a group of organisms that can reproduce to make fertile offspring. Here is an example. Lions and tigers are different species.
genus. genus. A genus is a group of similar species. It is the first part of a scientific name. Here is an example. Humans belong to the genus Homo.
binomial system. binomial system. In the binomial system every species has a two-part Latin name. Here is an example. The binomial system gives humans the name Homo sapiens.
kingdom. kingdom. A kingdom is the largest group in classification. Here is an example. Plants and animals belong to different kingdoms.
vertebrate. vertebrate. A vertebrate is an animal with a backbone. Here is an example. Fish, birds and mammals are all vertebrates.
invertebrate. invertebrate. An invertebrate is an animal without a backbone. Here is an example. A snail is an invertebrate.
arthropod. arthropod. An arthropod is an invertebrate with jointed legs and a hard outer skeleton. Here is an example. Insects, spiders and crabs are all arthropods.
dichotomous key. dichotomous key. A dichotomous key is a set of questions with two answers. It helps you to name an organism. Here is an example. Use a dichotomous key to name the insect.
Now, test yourself. I will show you a picture and the meaning in English. Say the English word out loud. Then listen, to check.
organism.
characteristic.
nutrition.
respiration.
sensitivity.
excretion.
reproduction.
classification.
species.
genus.
binomial system.
kingdom.
vertebrate.
invertebrate.
arthropod.
dichotomous key.
describe.
explain.
compare.
suggest.
predict.
calculate.
estimate.
identify.
distinguish.
evidence.
observe.
pattern.
Sixteen words. organism. characteristic. nutrition. respiration. sensitivity. excretion. reproduction. classification. species. genus. binomial system. kingdom. vertebrate. invertebrate. arthropod. And dichotomous key. Watch this video again until you know all of them.
More in this series
2:44Characteristics of living things
The seven characteristics of all living organisms (movement, respiration, sensitivity, growth, reproduction, excretion, nutrition), each with a picture, and the word MRS GREN to remember them. With Vietnamese subtitles. A “Check yourself” section with typed questions is below the video on the site.
3:29Classification
Why we classify organisms, the levels from kingdom to species, the definition of a species and the binomial name, the five kingdoms, vertebrate and arthropod groups, and how to use a dichotomous key. With Vietnamese subtitles. A “Check yourself” section with typed questions is below the video on the site.
5:29B1 quiz: characteristics and classification
Ten think-time questions on the seven characteristics of living things, species, the binomial name, kingdoms, vertebrates and arthropods, and dichotomous keys.