Keys to the Kingdom
Classification
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The arrangement of things into orderly
groups based on similarities.
Taxonomy
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The science of identifying, classifying, and
naming living things.
Founded by Carolus Linnaeus
Carolus Linnaeus
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He founded taxonomy and created the
seven-level system of classification that we
still use today.
Scientists later added “Domain” to
the classification system.
8 Levels of Classification
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Domain
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
species
Dear King Phillip
Came Over For
Good Soup
Example: Dog
 Eukarya
 Animalia
 Chordata
 Mammalia
 Carnivora
 Canidae
 Canis
 familiaris
Domain
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The broadest (most general) level of
classification for living things
3 Domains – Eukarya, Bacteria, and Archaea
We belong in Domain Eukarya.
Kingdom
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The 2nd most general category of the eight
levels of classification
There are 6 kingdoms that we know of today:
Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, Protista,
Archaebacteria, and Eubacteria
Species
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The most specific level of classification for
living things
Organisms all have a scientific name that is
the Genus and species together.
Human= Homo sapiens
Dog= Canis familiaris
Cat= Felis domesticus
Domain: Archaea
Kingdom: Archaebacteria
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Have existed for at least 3 billion years
All are very small single-celled organisms
Are prokaryotic
Some are autotrophic and some are
heterotrophic
Reproduce asexually
Only live in extreme environments – Dead
Sea, hot springs, swamps, etc.
Archaebacteria
Examples: methanogens, halophiles, thermophiles
Domain: Bacteria
Kingdom:Eubacteria
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All are single-celled organisms
Prokaryotic
Some are autotrophic and some are heterotrophic
Come in many shapes and sizes
Reproduce asexually
Prokaryotes that may be found in the human body;
most common type of bacteria found everywhere
Eubacteria
Examples: E. coli; Staphylococcus aureus
Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Protista
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Appeared about 2 billion years ago
Most are single-celled organisms or simple
multicellular organisms
Eukaryotic
Some are autotrophic and others are heterotrophic
Most reproduce asexually
Environment: freshwater pond
Protista
Examples: all eukaryotes that are not plants,
animals, or fungi such as: Paramecium, slime
molds, Euglena, giant kelp
Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Plantae
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Use the sun’s energy to make sugar (food)
through photosynthesis
Multicellular
Eukaryotic
Autotrophic
Asexual and sexual
Environment: all over the world; in water and
on land
Plantae
Examples: ferns, giant sequoia trees, grass, moss,
conifers
Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Fungi
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Break down material outside their body and then
absorb (soak up) the nutrients
Most are multicellular
Eukaryotic
Heterotrophic
Some are asexual and others are sexual
Environment: dark, moist forest floor
Fungi
Examples: molds, mushrooms, mildew, lichens,
yeast
Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Animalia
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Has a nervous system that helps them sense
and react to their surroundings
Multicellular
Eukaryotic
Heterotrophic
Sexual
Animalia
Examples: fish, dog, human, squid, snail, beetle