ClassificationClassification of of OrganismsOrganisms

Main Idea

Students should be able to:Students should be able to:* Understand why a classification system is important* Understand why a classification system is important* Understand that there are a variety of ways to classify* Understand that there are a variety of ways to classify organismsorganisms* Understand the origins of our modern classification system* Understand the origins of our modern classification system

AppropriateAppropriatefor gradesfor grades (5-9)(5-9)

Developed by:Developed by:Andrew LeechAndrew Leech

What is an Organism?What is an Organism?

An organism is generally referred to any livingAn organism is generally referred to any livingthing. More specifically any thing that has thing. More specifically any thing that has ““cells”. This includes the smallest of organisms,cells”. This includes the smallest of organisms,the single celled bacteria, all the way to thethe single celled bacteria, all the way to thelargest redwood tree or Blue Whale.largest redwood tree or Blue Whale.

In the following few slides, you will findIn the following few slides, you will find14 different organisms, each of them 14 different organisms, each of them labeled labeled with a letter. In your groups, write downwith a letter. In your groups, write downtwo main classification (example two main classification (example red/green).red/green).Then place the corresponding letters Then place the corresponding letters underunderthe correct classification.the correct classification.

The Classification Game!!The Classification Game!!

Divide into groups of 3 Divide into groups of 3 or 4or 4

For ExampleFor Example

These organisms have beenThese organisms have beenclassified by their color.classified by their color.

RedRedGreenGreen

AREARE

YOUYOU

READY!READY!

I

B

H

L M

A D

F

C

N

G

E

K

J

One Possible SolutionOne Possible Solution

PlantsPlants AnimalsAnimals

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

????????

Did You Have Problems??Did You Have Problems??

There were actually several different ways to goThere were actually several different ways to goabout classifying these 14 organisms. You might about classifying these 14 organisms. You might have done color, shape, size, number of legs… the have done color, shape, size, number of legs… the possibilities are endless. You might have encounteredpossibilities are endless. You might have encounteredone or two that really did not fit into either of yourone or two that really did not fit into either of yourtwo classifications, what should you do when thistwo classifications, what should you do when thishappens? Make a new classification of course! And happens? Make a new classification of course! And this is what scientist have done as well through the this is what scientist have done as well through the years.years.

Our modern classification system originated withOur modern classification system originated withtwo main classifications, plants and animals. Overtwo main classifications, plants and animals. Overthe years, scientist came up with certain “plants” the years, scientist came up with certain “plants” that really did not act like plants, they couldn’t that really did not act like plants, they couldn’t make their own food. So the kingdom Fungi wasmake their own food. So the kingdom Fungi wasformed. formed.

When microscopes were invented, scientist discoveredWhen microscopes were invented, scientist discoverednew single celled organisms. Some were animal-like,new single celled organisms. Some were animal-like,some were plant like and some were both. some were plant like and some were both. This lead to the creation of the Kingdom Protista.This lead to the creation of the Kingdom Protista.

As the microscope improved, scientist As the microscope improved, scientist discovered that many of the single celleddiscovered that many of the single celledorganisms were quite different. Some of themorganisms were quite different. Some of themhad a nucleus and others did not. This leadhad a nucleus and others did not. This leadto the Kingdom Monera, the kingdom of the to the Kingdom Monera, the kingdom of the most simplistic organisms.most simplistic organisms.

Who first developed Who first developed a system to classify a system to classify

organisms?organisms?As early as 350 B.C., the Greek PhilosopherAs early as 350 B.C., the Greek PhilosopherAristotle created guidelines for groupingAristotle created guidelines for groupingliving things. Aristotle grouped organismsliving things. Aristotle grouped organismsbased on four characteristics: body parts,based on four characteristics: body parts,life histories, activities, and character. Therelife histories, activities, and character. Therewere ten groups of animals, six of whichwere ten groups of animals, six of whichhe called “blooded” and four “bloodless”. he called “blooded” and four “bloodless”.

Humans, birds and fish were considered to Humans, birds and fish were considered to be blooded, while insects and mollusks werebe blooded, while insects and mollusks wereconsidered to be bloodless. Aristotle’s systemconsidered to be bloodless. Aristotle’s systemmay seem crude by today’s standards, but for may seem crude by today’s standards, but for his time, it was extremely imaginative.his time, it was extremely imaginative.

Who Needs a Who Needs a Classification System?Classification System?

When you go to the grocery store, how doWhen you go to the grocery store, how doknow how to find the milk?know how to find the milk?

When you go to the clothing store, how doWhen you go to the clothing store, how doyou know where to look for your favorite brand?you know where to look for your favorite brand?

When you go to the movie store, how do youWhen you go to the movie store, how do youfind the movie you’re looking for?find the movie you’re looking for?

When you want to learn about the matingWhen you want to learn about the matinghabits of the habits of the Blue Swallow ButterflyBlue Swallow Butterfly, where, wheredo you find your information.do you find your information.

It is for this reason that a classification systemIt is for this reason that a classification systemis necessary. It is a tool that allows scientistis necessary. It is a tool that allows scientistto study similar organisms to learn more aboutto study similar organisms to learn more abouthow certain organisms work and function.how certain organisms work and function.

For example; if you wanted to find informationFor example; if you wanted to find informationon a new organism that you just discovered,on a new organism that you just discovered,you could look at organisms with similaryou could look at organisms with similartraits and could come up with some goodtraits and could come up with some goodideas as to what it eats, mating habits, or ideas as to what it eats, mating habits, or any other pertinent information you might any other pertinent information you might want to find.want to find.

Who developed the Who developed the modern system?modern system?

Along with Aristotle’s version of the classificationAlong with Aristotle’s version of the classificationsystem, there were several more, completelysystem, there were several more, completelydifferent systems added throughout the years. different systems added throughout the years. After a while, it became quite confusing forAfter a while, it became quite confusing formany scientist when they did their research,many scientist when they did their research,they did not know which system to look in. they did not know which system to look in. This lead towards a universal system thatThis lead towards a universal system thatcould be used world wide.could be used world wide.

The modern classification system was The modern classification system was developed by the Swedish scientist Carolusdeveloped by the Swedish scientist CarolusLinnaeus in the mid 1700’s. As Linnaeus Linnaeus in the mid 1700’s. As Linnaeus created his method of classification, he created his method of classification, he considered many things. Some characteristicsconsidered many things. Some characteristicshe used to classify organisms were outsidehe used to classify organisms were outsideappearance, internal organs, and how bodyappearance, internal organs, and how bodysystems worked. Modern scientists are still usingsystems worked. Modern scientists are still usingmost of Linnaeus’s classification system.most of Linnaeus’s classification system.

The Modern SystemThe Modern System

Linnaeus used the Latin language Linnaeus used the Latin language because that was the language thatbecause that was the language thatwas dominate around the world at was dominate around the world at that time. This is why even today that time. This is why even today organism’s scientific names are always organism’s scientific names are always in Latin.in Latin.

Along with the two major Kingdoms,Along with the two major Kingdoms,PlantPlant and and AnimalAnimal, Linnaeus came up, Linnaeus came upwith several sub-classifications for thosewith several sub-classifications for thosekingdoms. They are: kingdoms. They are: Kingdom, PhylumKingdom, Phylum, , Class, Order Family, Genus,Class, Order Family, Genus, and and SpeciesSpecies. .

What Kingdom are you in?What Kingdom are you in?

What phylum are you in? Why?What phylum are you in? Why?

The Human SpeciesThe Human Species

Kingdom:Kingdom:Phylum:Phylum:Class:Class:Order:Order:Family:Family:Genus:Genus:Species:Species:

Animalia (Animal in Latin)Animalia (Animal in Latin)Chordata (Spinal Cord)Chordata (Spinal Cord)

Mammalia (have mammary glands)Mammalia (have mammary glands)Primates (two mammary glands)Primates (two mammary glands)Hominoidea (bipedalism)Hominoidea (bipedalism)HomoHomoSapienSapien

When you refer to an organismWhen you refer to an organismscientifically, you always use the scientifically, you always use the genus and the specie names.genus and the specie names.Therefore, the human species wouldTherefore, the human species wouldbe referred to as:be referred to as:

Homo sapienHomo sapien

ConclusionConclusion

The classification system for organismsThe classification system for organismshave been around for a long time. It hashave been around for a long time. It hasendured several changes and is quiteendured several changes and is quitecomplex. Without it modern biology couldcomplex. Without it modern biology couldnot exist, much in the same way thatnot exist, much in the same way thata grocery store would go out of businessa grocery store would go out of businessif it did not have a classification system.if it did not have a classification system.