Name______________________________________________Biology-Block______ Date___________
Packet 2: Classification of Life
Bio.3.5.1 Explain the historical development and changing nature of classification systems.
Bio.3.5.2 Analyze the classification of organisms according to their evolutionary relationships.
Key vocabulary… Simplified definitions
Classification
Grouping things based upon characteristics
taxonomy
The study of how organisms are classified; Based upon structural characteristics
and genetic comparisons.
binomial nomenclature
Giving each organism a two word scientific name (using their genus & species)
taxa (taxon)
Classification groups (DomainKingdomPhylumClassOrderFamilyGenusspecies)
Key characteristics used to place organisms into classification groups (must know these terms)

prokaryote (prokaryotic)
No nucleus; no membrane bound organelles (ex: bacteria)

eukaryote (eukaryotic)
Has a nucleus & membrane bound organelles (ex: plants & animals)

heterotroph
Needs to eat for food/energy (a.k.a. consumer)

autotroph
Can make own food/energy (a.k.a. producer)

unicellular
1 celled organism

multicellular
An organism made up of many cells
3 domains
The largest taxa (classification group)

Archaea
Domain that includes the kingdom Archaebacteria

Bacteria
Domain that includes the kingdom Eubacteria

Eukarya
Domain includes the kingdoms of all eukaryotes – Protista, Fungi, Plantae & Animalia
6 Kingdoms
Group that is smaller than a domain but larger than a phylum. In the original
system made by Linneaus, it was the largest taxa (but now is the 2 nd largest)

Archaebacteria
Characteristics include: no nucleus, unicellular – like the first life forms on earth

Eubacteria
Characteristics include: no nucleus, unicellular – common bacteria found today

Protista
Characteristics include: Having a nucleus, unicellular

Fungi

Plantae

Animalia
Characteristics include: having a nucleus, heterotrophs; most multicellular; cell
walls are made of chitin
(Ex: yeast, mold, mushroom)
Characteristics include: having a nucleus, autotrophs, multicellular, cell walls
made of cellulose
(Ex: moss, fern, pine tree & roses)
Characteristics include: having a nucleus, heterotrophs, multicellular, no cell walls
(Ex: sponge, worm, grasshopper, frog, human)
Primitive
First or earliest; simplest
Cladogram
A tree-like diagram that shows relationships between organisms with common ancestors.
Other Misc. Vocab.
Packet Recorded ________