• Taxonomy is the study of how living things are classified into groups.

• The groups that organisms are classified into are called taxa. (Taxon if singular)

Organisms are classified based

on:

physical similarities genetic similarities

When a taxonomist discovers a new organism they start classifying it based on certain characteristics…..first, they look at what kind of cell structure it

possesses.

prokaryotic

eukaryotic

Types of Cells

Once they know this, they can place the

organism in the correct

Domain.

prokaryotic

eukaryotic

Types of Cells Domains

Archaea

Bacteria

Eukaryota

Domain is the most broad taxon. There are three domains….

Organisms in this Domain are prokaryotic, small, and survive in

extreme “unlivable” conditions

Organisms in this Domain are prokaryotic, larger than Archaea, and

live in hospitable conditions

Organisms in this Domain are made of eukaryotic cells, more complex

than bacteria

In which Domain would they classify a human?

prokaryotic

eukaryotic

Types of Cells Domains

Archaea

Bacteria

Eukaryota

Kingdoms

Archaebacteria

Eubacteria

Protista

Fungi

Plantae

Animalia

Next, they would need to decide which Kingdom it belonged in…

Organisms are grouped into kingdoms based on:

1.Type of cell 2.How they obtain energy 3.How many cells they are made of, and

4.How complex their body structure is

8 Classification Groups “Taxa”Most broad, only three domains: Archaea, Bacteria, Eukarya

Example: Humans at this level are grouped with all other organisms made of eukaryotic cells– (Algae, Fungus, Plants, and Animals)

More specific, based on cell type, method of obtaining energy, and # of cells, and complexity: Example: Humans at this level are grouped with all other animals- (Sponge, Insects, Birds, Mammals)

Based on even more specific characteristics. For plants This is called “Divisions” Example: Humans are grouped with other animals that have backbones at this level.

Even more specific Example: Humans at this level are grouped with other human-like ancestors based on the use of language and tool use.

Domain-

Kingdom-

Phylum-

Class - Based on even more specific characteristics. Example: Humans are grouped with other animals with backbones that feed milk to their young.

Order - Based on even more specific characteristics. Example: Humans are grouped with other animals with backbones that feed milk to their young and have opposable thumbs.

Family - Based on even more specific characteristics. Example: Humans are grouped with other great apes that have opposable thumbs and have very close DNA strand sequence.

Genus -

Species - Exact organism Example: “Modern” humans with our brain size, learning capacity, and longevity.

• Organisms classified from most broad group, domain, down to most

specific, species

Solar System

Earth

North America

U. S.

TX

DFW

Denton County

Justin

“binomial nomenclature”

Was created by Linnaeus.

It is a two-word naming system for living things.

SCIENTIFIC NAMING!

Carolus Linnaeus (1707‑1778), a

Swedish botanist

• The “Binomial nomenclature” or scientific name for each species, is a combination of the

genus name and species name.

Homo sapiens

Homo = Genus, sapiens = species

Domain Kingdom

Phylum Class Order

Family Genus

Species

Why not use common names?

• Misleading – starfish– Dragonfly

• Confusing– blue jay, blue coat, corn thief– dog, perro, chien

They all have ONE scientific name.

Cyanocitta cristata

Pyrrhosoma nymphula

Pisaster ochraceus

The common name of many animals can be misleading.

Ceylon frogmouth (Batrachostomus moniliger)

Killer whales (Orcinus orca )are the largest member of the dolphin family.

is a bird….

Flying fish (Parezocoetus mesogaster) do not fly, but glide.

Seahorse (Hippocampus zosterae) is not a horse, but a fish.

What language is used for the scientific naming?

LATIN1. Latin is no longer used in conversation.

2. It’s tradition.

3. Universal.

* Always capitalize the Genus and not the species.

What is the correct way to write the scientific name?

•If handwriting, underline the name: Felis concolor

•If typing, put the name in italics: Felis concolor

•You can also abbreviate the Genus: F. concolor

Question 1 According to the table, at what level does the domestic cat diverge from the ferret?

Classification of Representative Mammals

Kingdom

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Common Name

Animalia

Chordata

Mammalia

Cetacea

Mysticeti

Balenopora

B. physalus

Blue Whale

Animalia Animalia

Chordata Chordata

Mammalia Mammalia

Carnivora Carnivora

Mustelidae Felidae

Mustela Felis

M. furo F. catus

Ferret Domestic Cat

Classification of Representative Mammals

Kingdom

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Common Name

Animalia

Chordata

Mammalia

Cetacea

Mysticeti

Balenopora

B. physalus

Blue Whale

Animalia Animalia

Chordata Chordata

Mammalia Mammalia

Carnivora Carnivora

Mustelidae Felidae

Mustela Felis

M. furo F. catus

Ferret Domestic Cat

The domestic cat belongs to the family Felidae and the ferret belongs to the

family Mustelidae.

Question 2

Classification of Representative Mammals

Kingdom

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Common Name

Animalia

Chordata

Mammalia

Cetacea

Mysticeti

Balenopora

B. physalus

Blue Whale

Animalia Animalia

Chordata Chordata

Mammalia Mammalia

Carnivora Carnivora

Mustelidae Felidae

Mustela Felis

M. furo F. catus

Ferret Domestic Cat

How many levels of classification do all three animals share?

All three animals belong to the same kingdom, phylum, and class.