Classification of Living Things

1. Classification is a way to organize- group things based on similarities

ex: cards in a deck

2. The first classification system was developed by Aristotle.

- he grouped everything into 2 categories: plant and animal

3. Linnaeus developed the classification system we use today based on the following characteristics:

1. Physical characteristics

ex: flowering plants are classified based on the # and similarities of their reproductive structures.

2. Evolutionary history (Phylogeny)

ex: bats fly like birds, but their origins are shared with animals that have hair and feed milk to their young.

4. Linnaeus developed binomial nomenclature, a system that gives each organism 2 names.These names are always in Latin.

1. GENUS: group of closely related species

* CAPITALIZED

ex: Quercus alba (White Oak)

2. species: specific type of organism

* lower case

ex: Phoca vitulina (Harbor Seal)

5. The taxa are the groups that all living things are divided into.

Kingdom

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

species

Taxon Corn House Fly Human

Kingdom Plantae Animalia Animalia

Phylum Anthophyta Arthropoda Chordata

Class Monocotyledon Insecta Mammalia

Order Commelinales Diptera Primates

Family Poaceae Muscidae Hominidae

Genus Zea Musca Homo

Species mays domestica sapiens

Biologists that study classification are: taxonomists!

The study of classification is called: taxonomy!

Kingdom: Monera

• Moneran’s are:– Prokaryotes

– Some are autotrophic, others are heterotrophic, and some are even chemoautotrophic

– Unicellular

• Found anywhere and everywhere in the world.

• Come in three basic shapes.

• Some species cause illness.

• Others are used in the food industry to make certain foods.

Spirillum- notice the flagella which helps

it move.

Streptococcus- some can

cause strept- throat and

other illnesses.

A Bacillus – one species is used to make yogurt.

Kingdom: Protista

• Protists are:– Eukaryotic– Some are

autrotrophic and others are heterotrophic. A few can do both.

– Most are unicellular but some are multicellular.

• Algae range in size from microscopic to 20 meters in length (kelp).

• Used as food, in cosmetics, and in pharmaceuticals.

• Some species are harmful – even deadly.

A desmid – a microscopic algae.

Kelp – a type of brown algae. Diatoms – a protist used to make toothpaste.

Plasmodium – a protozoan that causes malaria.

Kingdom: Fungi

• Fungi are:– Eukaryotic

– Heterotrophic

– Mostly multicellular but a few are unicellular

• Digest their food outside of their “bodies” and then absorb it.

• One is used in the making of most breads. Others “eat” bread.

• Have a cell wall made of chitin just like insects.

• Some can cause disease.

Rhizopus – a bread mold

Yeast – a fungus used to make bread, wines, and beer.

A fungul infection commonly known as “ringworm.”

Kingdom: Plantae

• Plants are:– Eukaryotic

– Autotrophic

– Multicellular

• Necessary for human survival in that they provide a means for shelter, food, medicine, entertainment, and of course, beauty.

• Range in size from 1 cm to taller than 275 feet

An orchid – a flowering plant that actually mimics their wasp pollinator.

A redwood tree and Aunt Mable and Uncle Albert.

Yummy fruits and veggies.

Kingdom: Animalia

• Animals are:– Eukaryotic

– Heterotrophic

– Multicellular

Animals are widely diverse: in where they live, in what and how they obtain food, in how they acquire oxygen, in how they move (if they do at all), and of course in how they look.

A sea horse – a type of fish. Heartworm – a parasite.

A cougar – a deadly predator.

Sponge Bob and the real thing.