classification of living things 6th grade - Free Printable

The image you provided is a worksheet titled "CHARACTERISTICS OF LIVING THINGS." It outlines the key differences between unicellular and multicellular organisms, as well as prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Below is a detailed explanation of the solution to the task:

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1. Unicellular vs. Multicellular

#### Unicellular:
- Description: Composed of one cell.
- Characteristics:
- Simple structure.
- Perform all life functions (e.g., movement, reproduction, respiration) within a single cell.
- Examples: Bacteria, Protists (some), Yeast.

#### Multicellular:
- Description: Composed of more than one cell.
- Characteristics:
- Complex structure with specialized cells and tissues.
- Cells work together to perform specific functions.
- Examples: Plants, Animals, Fungi.

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2. Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic

#### Prokaryotic:
- Description: "Before nucleus" — organisms that lack a membrane-bound nucleus.
- Characteristics:
- No defined nucleus; genetic material is in a region called the nucleoid.
- Lack membrane-bound organelles (e.g., mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum).
- Smaller size compared to eukaryotic cells.
- Examples: Bacteria, Archaea.
- Domains: Bacteria and Archaea.
- Kingdoms: Monera (in older classification systems).

#### Eukaryotic:
- Description: "True nucleus" — organisms with a membrane-bound nucleus.
- Characteristics:
- Have a true nucleus enclosed by a nuclear membrane.
- Contain membrane-bound organelles (e.g., mitochondria, chloroplasts, endoplasmic reticulum).
- Larger size compared to prokaryotic cells.
- Examples: Plants, Animals, Fungi, Protists.
- Domains: Eukarya.
- Kingdoms: Plantae, Animalia, Fungi, Protista.

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3. Autotrophic vs. Heterotrophic

#### Autotrophic:
- Description: "Self-nourishing" — organisms that can produce their own food using inorganic substances.
- Characteristics:
- Use photosynthesis or chemosynthesis to make organic compounds from inorganic materials.
- Examples: Green plants, some bacteria.

#### Heterotrophic:
- Description: "Other-nourishing" — organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms or organic matter.
- Characteristics:
- Depend on autotrophs or other heterotrophs for nutrition.
- Examples: Animals, fungi, most protists.

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4. Cell Theory

The diagram at the bottom of the worksheet shows a prokaryotic cell (likely a bacterium). The Cell Theory states:
1. All living things are composed of cells.
2. Cells are the basic units of structure and function in living organisms.
3. New cells arise only from pre-existing cells.

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Summary of Solutions

Here is the completed table based on the information above:

| Unicellular | Multicellular |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Description: Composed of one cell. | Description: Composed of more than one cell. |
| Characteristics: Simple structure; performs all life functions within one cell. | Characteristics: Complex structure with specialized cells and tissues. |

| Prokaryotic | Eukaryotic |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Description: "Before nucleus" — organisms that lack a membrane-bound nucleus. | Description: "True nucleus" — organisms with a membrane-bound nucleus. |
| Characteristics: No defined nucleus; no membrane-bound organelles; smaller size. | Characteristics: True nucleus; membrane-bound organelles; larger size. |
| Examples: Bacteria, Archaea. | Examples: Plants, Animals, Fungi, Protists. |
| Domains: Bacteria and Archaea. | Domains: Eukarya. |
| Kingdoms: Monera (older classification). | Kingdoms: Plantae, Animalia, Fungi, Protista. |

| Autotrophic | Heterotrophic |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Description: "Self-nourishing" — organisms that can produce their own food. | Description: "Other-nourishing" — organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms. |
| Characteristics: Use photosynthesis or chemosynthesis to make organic compounds. | Characteristics: Depend on autotrophs or other heterotrophs for nutrition. |
| Examples: Green plants, some bacteria. | Examples: Animals, fungi, most protists. |

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Final Answer

The completed worksheet should reflect the explanations provided above. If there are any specific sections you need further clarification on, feel free to ask!

Boxed Final Answer:
\boxed{\text{See detailed explanations above.}}