Concept and Uses of Classification Systems - Binomial system, Comparing DNA

✓ Engaging presentation
✓ Includes lots of examples and definitions
✓ Lots of short AFL tasks
✓ Past paper questions and mark scheme

This lesson on Concept and Uses of Classification Systems is designed for KS4 Science students enrolled in the CIE Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 (2026-28) course. This is the second 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 that organisms can be classified into groups by the features that they share
• Describe a species as a group of organisms that can reproduce to produce fertile offspring
• Describe the binomial system of naming species as an internationally agreed system in which the scientific name of an organism is made up of two parts showing the genus and species
• Construct and use dichotomous keys based on identifiable features
• Explain that classification systems aim to reflect evolutionary relationships
• Explain that the sequences of bases in DNA are used as a means of classification
• Explain that groups of organisms which share a more recent ancestor (are more closely related) have base sequences in DNA that are more similar than those that share only a distant ancestor

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.