Scientific Classification
Classification, taxonomy, taxonomic key
Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species
Observable Properties

What is an observable property?

Why is it important in scientific
classification?
Classification

Define living:

Define non-living:

Define once-living:
Examples

Give 3 examples of living things:

Give 3 examples of non-living things:

Give 3 examples of once-living things:
Scientific Classification

What things are classified scientifically?

What are structural characteristics?
Scientific Tool

Classification is a scientific tool

It describes perceived patterns in nature.
Kingdoms
What are the kingdoms of living things?
 List their characteristics
123456
Levels of Classification
Do……………….
 Kings…………….
 Play………………
 Chess…………….
 On………………..
 Fine………………
 Green……………
 Silk?……………….
Binomial Nomenclature
Every organism that is classified has a
scientific name.
 This name has two parts
 The first name is the name of the genus
and is capitalized.
 The second name is the name of the
species and is written in lower case.

Acinonyx Jubatus
Aconitum columbianum
Artiodactyla suidae
Taxonomic Keys
A taxonomic key is paired statements
that give characteristics of an organism.
 You choose which statement applies to
the organism you are trying to classify.
 You continue through the key by stating
the characteristics.
 Once you have completed the steps, you
arrive at the scientific name of the
organism.

Taxonomic Key Example

A taxonomic key is a tools used to identify and classify organisms. Most keys consist of a set

of paired statements describing a certain trait. By choosing from a series of these paired traits, a

biologist can place an unknown organism in smaller and smaller groups until the organism is

either identified or proved to be something new.

Use the following key to identify the leaves on the next page. Write the steps used and the

scientific and common name of each tree in the spaces provided. (use the leaf terms at the

bottom of the leaf page to help)

1a. Leaves needlelike: Go to 2

1b. Leaves broad with flattened surface or blade: Go to 6

2a. Needles up to 2.5 cm long: yew, Taxus canadenis

2b. Needles 5.0 cm or longer: Go to 3

3a. Needles 5.0 to 12.5 cm long: Go to 4

3b. Needles more than 12.5 cm long: Go to 5

4a. Needles in cluster of two: Scotch pine, Pinus sylvestris

4b. Needles in clusters of four or five: white pine, Pinus strobus

5a. Needles in clusters of two: black pine, Pinus nigra

5b. Needles in clusters of three: ponderosa pine, Pinus ponderosa

6a. Leaves divided into separate leaflets or little leaves: Go to 7

6b. Leaves all in one piece; no leaflets: Go to 8

7a. Leaves with five to seven leaflets, bottom pair smallest: shagbark hickory, Carya ovata

7b. Leaves with thirteen to forty one leaflets: tree of heaven, Ailantbus altissima

8a. Leaf edge smooth, no saw-teeth: flowering dogwood, Cornus florida

8b. Leaves saw-toothed or lobed: Go to 9

9a. Leaves saw-toothed, veins like barbs on a feather: beech, Fagus grandifolia
Taxonomic Key Practice
Look at the salamander pictures on your
table.
 Study the dichotomous key to find the
name of your salamander
 Have everyone on your table find the
name of a different salamander
 Include a description and a name of your
salamander.
