17.1 The Linnaean System of Classification
Class
Notes 1:
Linnaean
Classification
17.1 The Linnaean System of Classification
I. Classification
A. Organisms can be classified based on physical
similarities.
17.1 The Linnaean System of Classification
B. Linnaeus developed the scientific naming system still
used today.
1. Taxonomy is the science of naming and classifying
organisms.
White oak:
Quercus alba
2. A taxon is a group of organisms in a classification system.
17.1 The Linnaean System of Classification
C. Binomial nomenclature is a two-part scientific naming
system.
1. uses Latin words
2. scientific names always written in italics
3. two parts are the genus name and species descriptor
17.1 The Linnaean System of Classification
D. A genus includes one or more physically similar species.
1. Species in the same genus are thought to be closely
related.
2. Genus name is always capitalized.
E. A species descriptor is the second part of a scientific name.
1. always lowercase
2. always follows genus
name; never written alone
Tyto alba
17.1 The Linnaean System of Classification
II. Linnaeus’ classification system has seven levels.
A. Kingdom,
phylum, class,
order, family,
genus, species.
B. Levels get
increasingly
specific from
kingdom to
species.
C. System is
limited because
it is based only
on physical
similarities.
17.1 The Linnaean System of Classification
Summary
What are the 2 parts in binomial nomenclature? What are
the 7 levels of Linnaean nomenclature? What is the most
general? What is the most specific?