Classification
Notes
Classification of Living Things
Why is it important to classify?
There are lots of different species in the
world, and by making groups, it’s easier to
identify similarities and differences.
Classification- is the arrangement of
organisms into orderly groups based on their
similarities.
Levels of Organization
The more groups an
organisms is in the
more similar it is
The Swedish physician and botanist who founded taxonomy name
was Carolus Linnaeus.
Taxonomy- the science of identifying, classifying, and naming
living things.
Scientists use a tool known as a Dichotomous Key to identify
organisms. A dichotomous key is a pairs of descriptive
statements that help identify unknown organisms
Interpreting the Scientific Name
The scientific name is written in Greek or Latin and is made up of a 2-part name consisting of
the genus and species names. This naming system is known as binomial nomenclature
Ex:
Genus
Homo
Felis
Canis
Species
sapiens
domesticus
lupis
Common Name
humans
house cat
wolf
Three Domains
Domains are the highest and most general level of classification. All living things are divided
into three domains
1) Bacteria
2) Archaea
3) Eukarya
Domains Continued..
1) Bacteria- includes most types of bacteria
- found everywhere
-unicellular and prokaryotic (no nucleus)
-heterotrophic (eat food) or autotrophic
(make own food)
2) Archaea- Bacteria that live in extreme
conditions
examples: Halophils, Thermophiles,
Methanogens
3) Eukarya- the largest domain which contains the most number of kingdoms
-Organisms are eukaryotic (has nucleus)
-Can be unicellular or multicellular
Domains are broken down into 6
Kingdoms
1) Eubacteria
4) Fungi
2) Archaebacteria
5) Plantae
3) Protista
6) Animalia
1) Kingdom Eubacteria
Ex: some E-coli
bacteria can be found
-Everyday bacteria
in the intestines
- Most bacteria are eubacteria
decomposing
undigested food or
-Heterotrophic or autotropic
other species on
-found everywhere
uncooked meat
-unicellular and prokaryotic
2) Kingdom Archaeabacteria
- live in extreme conditions
-have been on earth at least 3 billion years
-archae comes from the Greek word "ancient"
3) Kingdom Protista
- eukaryotic (has nucleus and organelles)
-mostly unicellular
-can contain organisms that are
algae protists (plant-like)
fungus protists (fungus-like)
protozoa protists (animal like)
4) Kingdom Fungi
- Mostly multicellular (cell walls made of chitin)
-Do not obtain nutrients by photosynthesis
-absorbs nutrients
-Decomposers
Some molds are used to
make medicine, like
penicillin
5) Kingdom Plantae
-Multi-cellular (cell walls made of cellulose)
-Carry out photosynthesis
-Immobile (can't move)
6) Kingdom Animalia
-Complex multi-cellular organisms
-Have specialized sense organs
-Heterotrophic (can't make own food)
-Mobile (can move)