Phylum
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All living organisms in a particular kingdom can be further divided into a phylum. These divisions are based on shared physical characteristics among organisms. Grouping organisms in such a way suggests that there is a common ancestry among organisms of a particular phylum. There are 30 phyla within the animal kingdom. Humans are a part of the phylum Chordata. These organisms are vertebrates meaning they have a backbone. Some animals in the Chordata Phylum are not considered vertebrates but instead have a backbone-like structure. The phylum Arthropoda contains the insects, crustaceans, and spiders. Arthropods have jointed legs, hard exoskeletons, and segmented body parts. The Arthropoda Phylum contains the most successful species of all living organisms. The Plant Kingdom is more so broken down into divisions instead of phylum. These divisions are much like phylum because they contain plants that are similar in physical appearance. For example, all flowering plants are placed in a division together and so are all trees that bear cones instead of leaves. |
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