Brain pop Classification Video worksheet - Free Printable

Let’s go step by step to solve this problem.

The worksheet asks you to compare two taxonomic groups — one on the left (L) and one on the right (R).
You need to write:
- “>” if the group on the left is more specific than the one on the right.
- “<” if the group on the right is more specific (meaning the left is broader/less specific).

Remember: In biological classification, the order from least specific to most specific is:

Domain → Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species

So, for example:
- Domain Eukarya includes ALL eukaryotes — very broad.
- Species *Tursiops truncatus* is just ONE kind of dolphin — very specific.

Now let’s look at each row in the table:

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Row 1: Eukarya < Animalia

Wait — actually, Eukarya is a DOMAIN. Animalia is a KINGDOM inside Eukarya. So Eukarya is BIGGER (less specific), Animalia is smaller (more specific).
That means: Eukarya is LESS specific than Animalia → so we write “<” because the LEFT (Eukarya) is less specific than the RIGHT (Animalia). ✔ This matches what’s already written.

But wait — the instruction says:
Write “>” if the taxon on the LEFT is MORE SPECIFIC than the one on the right.
Write “<” if it’s the other way around.

So if Left = Eukarya (broad), Right = Animalia (narrower), then Left is NOT more specific → so we use “<”. Correct.

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Row 2: Truncatus > ?

Actually, looking at the handwritten notes, the student has listed the full hierarchy:

Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cetacea
Family: Delphinidae
Genus: Tursiops
Species: truncatus

And they wrote next to “Truncatus”: “more scientific name” — which makes sense, because species names are the most specific.

In the table, the second row starts with “Truncatus” on the left. But “Truncatus” alone isn’t a full taxon — it’s part of the species name *Tursiops truncatus*. However, in context, it’s being used to represent the species level.

On the right side of that row, there’s nothing filled in yet — but based on the structure, we’re probably comparing “Truncatus” (species) to something above it? Wait — no, looking again...

Actually, re-examining the image: The table seems to have only two rows shown clearly:

First row:
Left: Eukarya
Right: Animalia
Symbol: < (already filled)

Second row:
Left: Truncatus
Right: ??? (blank or cut off)

But in the handwritten list on the right, the student wrote the full classification tree vertically. And under “Truncatus”, they added “> more scientific name”.

Also, note the heading: “Greater Than or Less Than” — meaning, which side is more specific?

Since “Truncatus” refers to the species (most specific level), anything compared to it that’s higher up (like genus, family, etc.) would be LESS specific.

But in the table, if “Truncatus” is on the LEFT, and say, “Tursiops” (genus) is on the RIGHT — then Truncatus (species) is MORE specific than Tursiops (genus)? No! Wait — that’s backwards.

Actually, Genus Tursiops includes multiple species, like Tursiops truncatus and maybe others. So Genus is BROADER than Species. Therefore, Species is MORE SPECIFIC.

So if Left = Truncatus (species), Right = Tursiops (genus), then Left is MORE specific → so we should write “>”.

But in the image, the student hasn’t filled in the symbol for that row yet — their hand is covering it.

However, looking at the very bottom of the visible table, after “Truncatus”, there’s another line that says:

“specific as most things in common”

Which suggests they understand that lower levels (like species) share more traits — hence more specific.

Also, in the first row, they correctly put “<” between Eukarya and Animalia.

Now, for the second row: If “Truncatus” is on the left, and assuming the right side is meant to be its genus “Tursiops” (as per the list), then:

Left: Truncatus (species) → very specific
Right: Tursiops (genus) → less specific (includes multiple species)

Therefore, Left is MORE specific → so we write “>”

BUT — wait! Let’s double-check the actual table layout.

Looking closely at the original image:

The table has columns labeled L and R.

Under L:
- Eukarya
- Truncatus

Under R:
- Animalia
- [blank?]

But in the handwritten list on the right, they’ve written the full hierarchy starting from Domain down to Species.

Perhaps the intention is to fill in the comparison for each pair as you go down the hierarchy? Or maybe the second row is comparing “Truncatus” to the next level up?

Alternatively, perhaps the student is supposed to complete the entire chain.

Wait — here’s a better approach.

Let me reconstruct what the worksheet likely intends.

It says: “Write ‘>’ if the taxon on the left is more specific than the one on the right. Write ‘<’ if it’s the other way around.”

Then it gives an example: Eukarya < Animalia — which is correct, since Eukarya (domain) is broader than Animalia (kingdom).

Then the next line is “Truncatus” on the left — but Truncatus is the species epithet. To make sense, we must assume that “Truncatus” represents the species level, and we’re comparing it to the genus level, which is “Tursiops”.

In standard binomial nomenclature, the full species name is *Tursiops truncatus*, where “Tursiops” is the genus and “truncatus” is the specific epithet.

So if the left is “Truncatus” (meaning the species), and the right is “Tursiops” (the genus), then:

Species is MORE specific than Genus → so Left > Right → write “>”

Yes.

Moreover, in the handwritten note, the student wrote next to “Truncatus”: “> more scientific name” — indicating they think it’s more specific, so “>” is appropriate.

Therefore, for the second row, the answer should be “>”

But let’s confirm with the hierarchy:

From least to most specific:

Domain → Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species

So each step down is MORE specific.

Thus:

- Comparing Domain vs Kingdom: Domain < Kingdom (because Kingdom is more specific)
- Comparing Genus vs Species: Genus < Species (Species is more specific)

In our case:

Row 1: Eukarya (Domain) vs Animalia (Kingdom) → Domain < Kingdom → “<” ✔️

Row 2: Truncatus (Species) vs Tursiops (Genus) → Species > Genus → “>” ✔️

Even though “Truncatus” alone isn’t technically a taxon, in this context, it’s clear it’s representing the species level.

Final check: Is there any chance “Truncatus” is being compared to something else? For example, if the right side was “Delphinidae” (family), then still, species is more specific → “>”

No matter what higher taxon it’s compared to, species will always be more specific.

So yes, “>” is correct for the second row.

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Final Answer:
For the first row: <
For the second row: >