Classification

Why Do Scientists Classify?KEY CONCEPT: Biologists use

classification to organize living things into groups so that the organisms are easier to study.

Classification is grouping things together based on their similarities.

Taxonomy is the study of classification, or how living things are grouped.

The Naming System of LinnaeusKEY CONCEPT: Carolus Linnaeus devised

a system of naming organisms in which each organism has a unique, 2 part scientific name.

The first part of the name is the Genus. It is always capitalized.

The second part of the name is the Species. It is always in lower case letters.

Ex.- Felis domesticus

Levels of Classification KEY CONCEPT: The more classification

levels that two organisms share, the more characteristics they have in common.

A series of 8 levels of classification are used. The largest group of the most varied organisms is the

Domain. The smallest, and most specific group is a Species. Only two of the same species may mate and produce

fertile offspring.

Domains and KingdomsKEY CONCEPT: Organisms are placed into Domains

and Kingdoms based on their cell type, ability to make food, and the number of cells in their bodies.

The 3 Domains are Bacteria, Archae, and Eukarya. Bacteria are Prokaryotes, have no nucleus, and are

unicellular, some are autotrophs, some are heterotrophs. Archae are unicellular, are found in hot springs, are

prokaryotes, and either autotrophs or heterotrophs. Bacteria and Archae differ in their chemical make-up.

Domain EukaryaKEY CONCEPT: The domain Eukarya can be

further divided into 4 Kingdoms; Protista, Fungi, Plant, Animal.

All members of Eukarya have cells that contain nuclei.

Protists are unicellular. Fungi are multicellular, heterotrophic

(decomposers). Ex.- molds, yeast, fungus, mushrooms.

Plants are multicellular, autotrophic. Animals are multicellular, heterotrophic.

5 Major Kingdoms:• Monera• Protista• Fungi• Planta• Animalia

Unicellular, prokaryotes, Bacteria

Unicellular, eukaryotes & algae

Multicellular, absorptive feeders, decomposers

Muticellular, autotrophs Muticellular, heterotrophs

Scientific Name: Latin Italics or underlined Genus species Homo sapien

Family or Genus Relations?Family: Less closely related Larger groupGenus: More closely related Precedes species=

interbreeding

Family:Felidae Lions, tigers,

leopards house cats,cheetahs,

ocelotsGenus: Panthera Leopards (pardus) Lion (leo) Tigers (tigris)

Feline Family Members:

Genus: Panthera (Lions &Tigers)

Classification by characteristics: Fossil Skulls DNA

Sequences Hair Samples Pictures

Most Useful

Least

The Five Kingdoms

Smaller Sub-Groups