Objectives:
1. Know the founder of classification.
2. Know the seven levels of classification.
3. Know how to name organisms using scientific names
4. Know how to use a Dichotomous Key to identify organisms.
5. Know the names of the five kingdoms.
6. Know the five main characteristics of each kingdom.

• The arrangement of organisms into orderly groups based on like physical characteristics.
• Physical characteristics: Observable traits. that you can see)
Examples: Color, number of legs, wings present, size (measured)
(Things
• The following are not physical characteristics: can fly, swim, talk, walk

The science of identifying, classifying and naming organisms.
Carolus Linnaeus discovered taxonomy during the
1700’s.
He tried to classify organisms using characteristics.
like

Greatest number
(Inclusive)
Family genus
Smallest number ( Exclusive) species
Hint to remember 7 levels
King
Philip
Came
Over
For
Grape
Soda
Organisms are classified into smaller and smaller groups.

Using the seven levels of classification

Organisms are normally called by common names. (Ex. Human)
All Organisms also have a scientific name.
An organism’s scientific name comes from the
Genus and species of the classification system.
Example: A human’s scientific name is
Homo sapien or Homo sapien (Italics)
Scientific names are usually Greek or Latin.

• Used as a way of identifying organisms.
• Descriptive questions are asked about the organisms physical characteristics, usually with yes or not answers.
• They can look like a flow chart or a numbered list of questions.

All living things (organisms) can be placed in one of five kingdoms:
Bacteria (monera)
Protists (Protista)
Fungi
Plants (Plantae)
Animals (Animalia)

Main Characteristics
Kingdom Monera (bacteria)
• One celled organisms (unicellular)
• Contain a cell wall
• Do NOT have a nucleus (Prokaryotic)
• Most do not move on their own
• Obtain energy by feeding off of dead organisms
(decomposers)

Main Characteristics
Kingdom Protista (protists)
• Most are unicellular, some are multicellular (more than one cell)
• Do NOT contain a cell wall
• Do have a nucleus (Eukaryotic)
• Some move on their own
• Some obtain energy by making their own food
(producers), some are decomposers and other obtain food (consumers).

Main Characteristics
Kingdom Fungi
• Most are multi-cellular, a few are unicellular.
• Contain a cell wall
• Do have a nucleus (Eukaryotic)
• Do not move on their own
• Obtain energy by feeding off of dead organisms
(decomposers)

Main Characteristics
Kingdom Plantae (Plants)
• Multi-cellular organisms
• Contain a cell wall
• Do have a nucleus (Eukaryotic)
• Do not move on their own
• Obtain energy by making their own food
(producers)

Main Characteristics
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
• Multi-cellular organisms
• Do Not contain a cell wall
• Do have a nucleus (Eukaryotic)
• Move on their own from place to place
• Obtain energy by eating other organisms
(consumers)