Chapter 2

Characteristics and

Classification of Life

Chapter 2CClassification

of Life

Taxonomy

The science of classifying living organisms

III. Classification of Life

A. Why classify?

Classify

To arrange into groups

A. Why Classify?

• By learning characteristics about individuals, you can also learn characteristics about the whole group.–Generalization

A. Why Classify?

• Classification makes finding information about specific organisms easier.

• There are many different ways to classify living things.

III. Classification of Life

B. The Modern Classification System

B. The Modern Classification System

• Developed by Carolus Linnaeus

• Composed of seven basic levels

B. The Modern Classification System

• Kingdom• Phylum• Class• Order

• Family• Genus• Species

B. The Modern Classification System

• All of the living things in a particular group have some physical characteristics in common.

The World of Classification

B. The Modern Classification System

1. Scientific namesa) Linnaeus created a two-name system for naming each organism.

1. Scientific Names

b) The first name is the genus of the organism.–Always capitalized

c) The second name is the species of the organism.–Not capitalized

1. Scientific Names

d) Scientific names are italicized.e) Latin words are used and often describe the organism.

Examples of scientific names

Acer rubrum Canis familiaris

B. The Modern Classification System

2. Problems of Classificationa) Uncertainties in

classifying–What should be considered the same species?

B. The Modern Classification System

2. Problems of Classificationb) False conclusions–Evolutionary approach–Common ancestors?–Nonbiblical worldviews

2. Problems of Classificationc) Species and biblical

kinds

Biblical Kind

A grouping of organisms, established by God, that are able to breed among themselves and produce offspring.

B. The Modern Classification System

2. Problems of Classificationc) Species and biblical

kinds–Not the same–Scientists can define species however they want; it is a man-made concept.