Chapter 14: Taxonomy
The Naming of Organisms
What is taxonomy?
• The study of how living things are
classified.
Why is
classification
important?
• It’s a way to “keep
track” of the natural
world and how
things relate to one
another.
Many, many organisms exist!
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Plants
Animals
Protists
Fungi
Bacteria
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+900,000 species
+2,000,000 species
60,000 species
7,000 species
12,000 species
Other reasons why classification
is important.
• Easier to study when
organisms are grouped.
• Grouping is based on features
in common!
• Organization is important in
everyday life
Who developed the current
system of classification?
• Carolus Linnaeus in the 18th century
(mid 1700’s)
• Swedish botanist – gave each organism a
2 part name.
Modern system of classification is
based on seven levels:
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Kingdom – largest and most general
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species/Trivial – smallest and most specific
Modern system of classification is
based on seven levels:
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Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
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Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Primata
Hominidae
Homo
sapien
Kingdom – The largest; there are
6 kingdoms!
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Plant - Plantae
Animal – Animalia
Fungi
Protist – Protista – plant-like animals
Archaebacteria
Eubacteria
Archaebacteria Kingdom
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Prokaryotes – ancient
One-celled: unicellular
No nucleus!
Have cell walls that lack
peptidoglycans.
Archaebacteria
Kingdom
• Live in extreme
environments – volcanic hot
springs, brine pools and
black organic mud that
lacks O2.
• Thermophiles – prefer heat
• Halophiles – thrive in salty
ponds
• Methanogens – are
anaerobic – live in areas
w/o O2.
Kingdom Eubacteria
• Prokaryotes
• Have cell walls made
up of peptidoglycan
• True bacteria (bluegreen algae); E. coli
Protist Kingdom
• Eukaryotes
• Most are unicellular (few
multicellular)
• Nucleus
• Some synthesize food (have
chlorophyll, no chloroplast)
• Examples: Ameobas,
Paramecium, Euglenas
Fungi Kingdom
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Eukaryotes
Most multicellular (few single)
Cell walls made of chitin
No chlorophyll (absorb food)
Examples: Yeast, molds, and mushrooms
Plant Kingdom
• Eukaryotes
• Multicellular
• Has chloroplasts
(autotrophic)
• Cell walls w/ chloroplasts
made of cellulose
• Examples: Oak tree,
daisy, rose
Animal Kingdom
• Eukaryotes
• Multicellular
• Can’t make food
(heterotrophic)
• No cell walls
• Examples: man, horse, pig,
insect, etc
Latin!!!!
• Latin is the primary language used in
the classification system because:
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Universal language
No country speaks Latin
Prevents colloquialisms (backyard names)
Names are never duplicated
Names show systematic relationship to
other organisms
Colloquialism
• Same animal, different name
• Example: Felis concolor = Panther, Mountain
Lion, Mountain Screamer, Devil Cat, Varmint,
Brown Tiger, Red Tiger, Silver Cat, Demon
Cat, Nittany Lion
• Interesting Fact: The Pittsburgh Panther and
the Penn State Nittany Lion are really the
same animal!!
How do we name organisms?
• Using a Binomial System = Two word
naming system.
• Involves using the genus name and the
species/trivial name. (Always
underlined or in italics!)
Rules for Naming
• Genus
Noun
Capitalized
species
Adjective
Lowercase
Scientific names of common
animals
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Man
Lion
House cat
Dog
Housefly
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Homo sapiens
Felis leo
Felis domestica
Canis familiaris
Musca domestica
What is the basis for classification?
• Structure
• Genetics
• Embryology