Features of Organisms - Classifying Cells, Mammals, Arthropods, Plants and Viruses

✓ Engaging presentation
✓ Includes lots of examples and definitions
✓ Lots of short AFL tasks
✓ Exam question examples

This lesson on Features of Organisms is designed for KS4 Science students enrolled in the CIE Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 (2026-28) course. This is the third lesson in the topic 1 Characteristics and Classification of Living Organisms.

The lesson recaps previous learning from other linked topics to ensure students have a strong foundation before diving into the material. It also includes concise and easy-to-understand information and a variety of quick assessment for learning tasks to help students solidify their understanding of the topic. There is a strong emphasis on answering exam questions, with examples and the mark scheme included in the presentation.

Objectives:

• State the main features used to place animals and plants into the appropriate kingdoms
• State the main features used to place organisms into groups within the animal kingdom, limited to: (a) the main groups of vertebrates: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish (b) the main groups of arthropods: myriapods, insects, arachnids, crustaceans
• Classify organisms using the features identified in 1.3.1 and 1.3.2
• State the main features used to place all organisms into one of the five kingdoms: animal, plant, fungus, prokaryote, protoctist
• State the main features used to place organisms into groups within the plant kingdom, limited to ferns and flowering plants (dicotyledons and monocotyledons)
• Classify organisms using the features identified in 1.3.4 and 1.3.5 7 State the features of viruses, limited to a protein coat and genetic material

This lesson would also be adaptable for all GCSE students (whether AQA, Edexcel, OCR) and great for KS3 Science or as a GCSE revision resource.