CLASSIFICATION

Chapter 17

What is Classification?? Classification is the arrangement of

organisms into orderly groups based on their similarities.

Classification is also known as taxonomy.

A person who identifies and names organisms is known as a Taxonomist.

Why do we Classify Organisms? To have accurate and universal names

for organisms (regardless of what language you speak).

Prevents the mis-naming of organisms (such as starfish and jelly fish which are not really fish!!

History of Classification -Boring old people, yeah!! Aristotle was the first official taxonomist

2000 years ago. He divided organisms into two

categories - plants and animals He then subdivided them based on their

habitat (land, sea, air), And by their morphology (the way they

look).

Problems with Aristotle's System Species are not unchanging Did not account for evolutionary

relationships among organisms Some organisms did not fit easily

Frogs live on land and in water

Carolus Linnaeus 18th century taxonomist Called the “Father of Taxonomy” Based his classification system on

observable characteristics. Developed binomial nomenclature.

Binomial Nomenclature Two-Part naming system. First part Genus Second part species It is always in Latin Capitalize Genus but NOT species Italicize when typing; underline when

writing.

Today’s Classification System Still uses all the things Aristotle and

Linnaeus brought to the table. In addition, we now know about DNA! DNA allows us to examine how closely

related organisms are to one another.

Taxonomic Categories Taxon (plural = taxa) is a category into

which related organisms are placed. There is a hierarchy of 8 groups (taxa)

from broadest to most specific. Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order,

Family, Genus, Species

How to remember the order of the Taxa!

Dear King Phillip Came Over For Good Soup!

Turn to page 489!ACTIVITY: Classify a giant panda, Ailuropoda melanoleuca, completely from domain to species level by referring to Figure 17.4.

Answer to Activity:Eukarya, Animalia, Chordata, Mammalia, Carnivora, Ursidae, Ailuropoda, melanoleuca