---
title: "SMI2: Microorganism Classification (Georgia Science standard)"
code: SMI2
cite_as: Georgia Standards of Excellence, Science, SMI2
subject: science
grades:
  - high-school
language: en
canonical_url: https://georgiahomeroom.org/standards/code/SMI2
md_url: https://georgiahomeroom.org/standards/code/SMI2.md
alternate_language_url: https://georgiahomeroom.org/es/standards/code/SMI2.md
source_url: https://case.georgiastandards.org/ims/case/v1p1/CFDocuments/27a08dc6-416e-11e7-ba71-02bd89fdd987
source_last_changed: 2025-05-29
data_built: 2026-09-18
publisher: Georgia Homeroom, a free public-interest project of Georgia Civic Data. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Georgia Department of Education or any school district.
up: https://georgiahomeroom.org/standards/science/high-school.md
index: https://georgiahomeroom.org/standards/index.md
---

# SMI2: Microorganism Classification

Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to differentiate among types of microorganisms based on defining characteristics.

- Subject: Science
- Appears in: High School, https://georgiahomeroom.org/standards/science/high-school.md

## Expectations

- **SMI2.a**: Develop and use models to distinguish between different kinds of microorganisms (Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes) based on cellular structure (including but not limited to, cell wall, cell membrane, organelles, cilia, and flagella), molecular biology (plasmids, DNA, RNA and proteins), and biochemical composition (lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates).
- **SMI2.b**: Construct explanations of how viruses differ from other cellular parasites.
- **SMI2.c**: Construct explanations for the relative sizes and different types of cell shapes of microorganisms.
- **SMI2.d**: Plan and carry out investigations to explore various methods used to visualize microorganisms.

## Georgia Milestones coverage

No Georgia Milestones blueprint cites this standard.

Source: Georgia Standards of Excellence, published by the Georgia Department of Education at case.georgiastandards.org.