17.1 The Linnaean System of Classification
KEY CONCEPT
Organisms can be classified based on physical similarities.

17.1 The Linnaean System of Classification
Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus developed the scientific naming system (1750’s) still used today.
• Taxonomy is the science of naming and classifying organisms into seven groups or levels called taxon .
• pluraltaxa
White oak:
Quercus alba

17.1 The Linnaean System of Classification
• Each level is included in the level above it.
• Levels get increasingly specific from kingdom to species.

17.1 The Linnaean System of Classification
• Binomial nomenclature - a two-part scientific naming system.
– Latin and italics
– First part -the genus name, capitalized
– Second part – the species descriptor, lower case, never written alone
Homo sapien (wise man)

17.1 The Linnaean System of Classification
• A genus includes one or more physically similar species.
Tyto alba

17.1 The Linnaean System of Classification
• Scientific names help scientists to communicate.
– Some species have very similar common names.
– Some species have many common names.

17.1 The Linnaean System of Classification
The Linnaean classification system has limitations.
• Did not include Domains
• Linnaeus taxonomy doesn’t account for molecular evidence, based only on physical similarities
• Modern the technology did not exist- DNA and Gene sequencing, protein analysis, radiometric dating, relative dating (fossil record).

17.1 The Linnaean System of Classification
• Physical similarities are not always the result of close relationships.
• Genetic similarities more accurately show evolutionary relationships.

17.1 The Linnaean System of Classification man
King
Philip
Came
Over
For
Great spagetti
Domain
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus species eukarya animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Primate
Hominid
Homo sapien

17.1 The Linnaean System of Classification