UPCAT Biology — Taxonomy & ClassificationCheat Sheet
One-page cheat sheet for UPCAT Biology — Taxonomy & Classification. Every formula, definition, and key fact you need for this chapter, condensed to a single printable page. Designed for the final review session before the UPCAT 2026.
Exam context
On the UPCAT 2026, the Biology subtest carries a "Core" weight in University of the Philippines's pattern. Taxonomy & Classification lands at position 2nd out of 7 in the standard review order. Target score is UPG ≤ 2.2 typical, and roughly 20 items come from Biology on a typical UPCAT paper.
Taxonomy & Classification - Cheat sheet
Your last-minute revision companion for mastering biological classification systems, taxonomic hierarchy, and organism relationships before your UPCAT Biology exam.
Sections
Section Title
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Important Facts
- Eight taxonomic ranks from broad to specific: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species
- Mnemonic: Dear King Philip Came Over For Good Soup
- Scientific names are always written in italics
- Genus is capitalized, species is lowercase
- Domain is the broadest category, species is most specific
Key Definitions
Term
Taxonomy
Example
Carolus Linnaeus developed the modern system
Definition
Branch of biology that classifies living things into groups (taxa) based on shared characteristics
Term
Binomial Nomenclature
Example
Homo sapiens for humans
Definition
Two-part naming system using genus and species (always italicized)
Term
Phylogeny
Example
Humans and chimps share common ancestor
Definition
Study of evolutionary relationships among organisms
Term
Cladistic Analysis
Example
Cladograms show branching patterns
Definition
Method using derived characters to determine evolutionary relationships
Diagrams To Know
- Taxonomic hierarchy pyramid showing all eight levels
- Cladogram showing evolutionary relationships
- Phylogenetic tree with branching patterns
Section Title
Three Domains System
Important Facts
- Archaea and Bacteria are both prokaryotic but evolutionarily distinct
- Eukarya includes four kingdoms: Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia
- Archaea have unique cell membrane composition
- Domain system replaced the older kingdom-only classification
Key Definitions
Term
Domain Bacteria
Example
E. coli, Streptococcus
Definition
Prokaryotic single-celled organisms with peptidoglycan cell walls
Term
Domain Archaea
Example
Methanogens, halophiles
Definition
Prokaryotic organisms with unique lipids, often in extreme environments
Term
Domain Eukarya
Example
Animals, plants, fungi, protists
Definition
Organisms with membrane-bound nucleus and organelles
Diagrams To Know
- Three-domain tree showing evolutionary relationships
- Cell structure comparison of three domains
Section Title
Six Kingdoms Classification
Important Facts
- Old Kingdom Monera split into Eubacteria and Archaebacteria
- Protista is most diverse kingdom with various cell types
- Only Plantae are autotrophic among eukaryotic kingdoms
- Animalia shows highest level of organization (systems level)
- Fungi are decomposers in ecosystems
Key Definitions
Term
Kingdom Eubacteria
Example
E. coli, cyanobacteria
Definition
True bacteria with peptidoglycan walls, prokaryotic cells
Term
Kingdom Archaebacteria
Example
Methanogens in swamps
Definition
Ancient bacteria in extreme environments, unique lipids
Term
Kingdom Protista
Example
Amoeba, Paramecium, algae
Definition
Mostly unicellular eukaryotes, diverse group
Term
Kingdom Fungi
Example
Mushrooms, yeasts, molds
Definition
Heterotrophic eukaryotes with chitin cell walls, absorb nutrients
Term
Kingdom Plantae
Example
Trees, ferns, mosses
Definition
Autotrophic eukaryotes with cellulose walls, photosynthetic
Term
Kingdom Animalia
Example
Mammals, insects, sponges
Definition
Heterotrophic multicellular eukaryotes, no cell walls
Diagrams To Know
- Six kingdoms comparison table with characteristics
- Kingdom classification tree showing relationships
Section Title
Life Cycles of Organisms
Important Facts
- Gametes are always haploid, zygotes always diploid
- Isomorphic means gametophyte and sporophyte look similar
- Heteromorphic means they look different
- Animals are diplonts, plants are haplo-diplonts
- Alternation of generations common in plants
Key Definitions
Term
Diplontic Life Cycle
Example
Animals like humans
Definition
Mitosis occurs only in diploid stage, gametes are only haploid stage
Term
Haplontic Life Cycle
Example
Most fungi, some green algae
Definition
Mitosis occurs only in haploid stage, zygote is only diploid stage
Term
Haplo-diplontic Life Cycle
Example
All terrestrial plants, many algae
Definition
Mitosis in both haploid and diploid stages, alternation of generations
Term
Gametophyte
Example
Moss plants we see
Definition
Haploid multicellular stage that produces gametes
Term
Sporophyte
Example
Fern plants we see
Definition
Diploid multicellular stage that produces spores
Diagrams To Know
- Diplontic life cycle diagram (animals)
- Haplontic life cycle diagram (fungi)
- Haplo-diplontic life cycle diagram (plants)
- Isomorphic vs heteromorphic algae cycles
Section Title
Major Phyla and Groups
Important Facts
- Phylum Chordata includes vertebrates and some invertebrates
- 35 phyla in Kingdom Animalia total
- Plants divided into: Thallophyta, Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, Gymnosperms, Angiosperms
- Arthropods are most diverse animal phylum
- Vertebrates are subgroup of Chordata
Key Definitions
Term
Chordata
Example
Humans, fish, birds
Definition
Animals with dorsal nerve cord at some life stage
Term
Arthropoda
Example
Insects, spiders, crabs
Definition
Animals with jointed legs and segmented bodies
Term
Angiosperms
Example
Roses, mango trees
Definition
Flowering plants with seeds in fruits
Term
Gymnosperms
Example
Pine trees, cycads
Definition
Seed plants without flowers, naked seeds
Diagrams To Know
- Animal phyla classification tree
- Plant group classification system
- Vertebrate classes within Chordata
Must Remember
- Taxonomic hierarchy: Domain > Kingdom > Phylum > Class > Order > Family > Genus > Species
- Binomial nomenclature: Genus species (italicized, genus capitalized)
- Three domains: Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya
- Six kingdoms: Eubacteria, Archaebacteria, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia
- Diplontic = animals, Haplontic = fungi, Haplo-diplontic = plants
- Prokaryotes: Bacteria and Archaea; Eukaryotes: all others
- Carolus Linnaeus developed modern classification system
- Phylogeny studies evolutionary relationships
- Alternation of generations in plants
- Human taxonomy: Eukarya > Animalia > Chordata > Mammalia > Primates > Hominidae > Homo > sapiens
Last Minute Tips
- Practice writing scientific names correctly - genus capitalized, species lowercase, both italicized
- Remember the mnemonic 'Dear King Philip Came Over For Good Soup' for taxonomic ranks
- Don't confuse domains and kingdoms - domains are broader than kingdoms
- Know that Monera was split into Eubacteria and Archaebacteria
- Focus on life cycle differences: where mitosis occurs determines the type
Comparison Tables
Rows
Values
- Prokaryotic
- Prokaryotic
- Eukaryotic
Property
Cell Type
Values
- No
- No
- Yes
Property
Nucleus
Values
- Peptidoglycan
- Unique lipids
- Varies
Property
Cell Wall
Values
- Fatty acids
- Branched chains
- Fatty acids
Property
Membrane Lipids
Values
- E. coli
- Methanogens
- Animals, plants
Property
Examples
Columns
- Characteristic
- Bacteria
- Archaea
- Eukarya
Table Title
Three Domains Comparison
Rows
Values
- Diploid only
- Diploid
- Animals
Property
Diplontic
Values
- Haploid only
- Haploid
- Most fungi
Property
Haplontic
Values
- Both stages
- Varies
- Plants, some algae
Property
Haplo-diplontic
Columns
- Type
- Mitosis Stage
- Dominant Stage
- Examples
Table Title
Life Cycle Types
Rows
Values
- Prokaryotic
- Unicellular
- Auto/Hetero
- E. coli
Property
Eubacteria
Values
- Prokaryotic
- Unicellular
- Auto/Hetero
- Methanogens
Property
Archaebacteria
Values
- Eukaryotic
- Mostly unicellular
- Auto/Hetero
- Amoeba
Property
Protista
Values
- Eukaryotic
- Mostly multicellular
- Heterotroph
- Mushrooms
Property
Fungi
Values
- Eukaryotic
- Multicellular
- Autotroph
- Trees
Property
Plantae
Values
- Eukaryotic
- Multicellular
- Heterotroph
- Mammals
Property
Animalia
Columns
- Kingdom
- Cell Type
- Organization
- Nutrition
- Examples
Table Title
Six Kingdoms Summary
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