Grade 11 University Biology – Unit 1 Diversity
Identification, Naming and Classification
Section 1.1 – Pages 10-16
There are over 2 million identified species on Earth…with many more species to be discovered.
Why do we need a classification system?
Task
 You have a picture of some species. Examine your picture closely.
 You need to find someone(s) in the room with a similar species. Look around.
 Compare picture. Are the pictures the same species or a different species altogether? Working
together, find a possible answer.
 Be prepared to present your ideas to the class.
Identifying Species
Darwin believed he had disproved the need for a “species concept” by showing that evolution could
account for the diversity of life (e.g., species were part of a continuum of species to higher taxa with
linking forms). Yet, many gaps existed in Darwin’s hypothesis. Instead, a number of various definitions of
species, called species concepts, are used.
Three common species concepts (see Table 1.1 on Page 11)
 Morphological – Emphasizes on body shape, size and other structural features. It is simple, but it
“fails” because it is difficult to decide “how much” variation is needed to distinguish between
species
 Biological – Ability to produce fertile offspring. If two individual organisms can naturally produce
offspring that can successfully live and reproduce, it is the same species. Yet, it does not apply
to (1) isolated groups that cannot meet to attempt reproduction and (2) asexual reproduction.
 Phylogenetic – Uses the evolutionary history of organisms. The concept can use DNA analysis. It
also can be applied to extinct species. For the moment, the evolutionary histories of some
species are not known.
Naming Species
A common naming system is required because names of a species can differ geographically.
 Taxonomy – Branch of biology that identifies, names and classifies species based on natural
features
 Bionomial Nomenclature – System of giving a two-word Latin to each species. The first part is
the genus while the second part is the species. The scientific name is written as such: Human Homo sapiens or Brown bear - Ursus arctos.
 Genus (plural Genera) – Taxonomic group of a closely related species
Classifying Species
 Classification is the grouping of organisms based on a set of criteria that helps to organize and
indicate evolutionary relationships
 Hierarchical Classification – The method of classifying organisms in which species are arranged
in categories from most general to most specific.
 Rank is a level in a classification scheme
 Taxon (plural Taxa) – A named group of organisms such as phylum Chordata or order Rodentia
We know a Classification System exists. There are two Domains followed by six Kingdoms: Animalia,
Plantae, Fungi, Protista, Archaeabacteria and Bacteria). How are the Domains and Kingdoms defined?
 Working in small groups and using Table 1.2 on Page 15, develop your criteria for defining the
Domains and the Kingdoms.
Questions – Page 16, Questions 2-3, 5, 7, 10
Coral Snake
Yellow Jacket Wasp
Virginia Hover Fly
Scarlet King Snake
Monarch Butterfly
Viceroy Butterfly
Indian Elephant
Aardwolf
Stripped Hyena
Stinging Cowkiller
Checkered Beetle
Brown Bear
Bumble Bee Moth
Bumblebee
Black Drongo
Black Flycatcher
Ant Thrush
Rufus Flycatcher
Chevrolain
Spotted Deer