Introduction to Classification
Teacher Specific Module
Why Classification?
Classification
• Systematics - Latinised Greek word and
‘systema’ means ‘together’.
• Linnaeus applied the word “Systematics” in the
system of classification in his famous book
‘Systema Naturae’ published in 1753.
• Carl Linnaeus – Father of Taxonomy.
Different systems of Classification
1. Artificial System
• It is adopted by Pliny, he classified the animals on the
basis of their flying ability i.e presence or absence of wings.
• The flying animals like birds ,bats , butterflies placed
together.
• It is based upon comparison of one or few characters
without any phylogenetic relationship.
• Such types of classification using some arbitrary or at least
easily observable characters, often irrespective of their
affinity, is called artificial.
2. Natural System
• Bentham & Hooker proposed this system of
classification.
• It is based on natural similarities & resemblance
among the group of organisms.
• Organisms shows close resemblance because they are
descended from a common ancestor.
• These systems of classifications are based upon
overall resemblances, mostly in gross morphology,
thus, utilizing as many taxonomic characters as
possible, to group taxa
3. Phylogenetic System
• Proposed by Engler, Prantle & Hutchinson.
• It is based on evolutionary & genetic relationship of
the organisms.
• It gives clues to find out our ancestor,& is a
combination of natural & phylogenetic evidences.
Taxon (Plural: Taxa.):
• The taxa are the groups of animals generally
groups of species.
Systematic Hierarchy
• Linnaeus was the first taxonomist to establish a
definite hierarchy of taxonomic categories recognized
within the animal kingdom.
• These are kingdom, phylum, classes, order, family,
genus, species and varieties.
• Species: basic unit of - classification and biodiversity.
Nomenclature
• Binomial/Linnaean (Homo s.)
• Trinomial (Homo s. s.)
• ICZN
Two Kingdom Classification
• Carolus Linnaeus(1758) divided all the living
organisms into two kingdoms.
• 1. Kingdom Plantae
• 2. Kingdom Animalia
Five Kingdom Classification
• Robert Harding Whittaker in 1969
• Main Criteria used for this classification are:
1. complexity of cell structures
2. complexity of the organisms body
3. Mode of nutrition
• Kingdoms:
1. Monera
2. Protista
3. Fungi
4. Plantae
5. Animalia
Three Domain System
• Carl Woese et al., 1990
1. Bacteria
2. Archaea
3. Eukarya
• Based on differences in the sequences of nucleotides in
the cell's ribosomal RNAs (rRNA), as well as the cell's
membrane lipid structure and its sensitivity to
antibiotics.
• rRNA molecules throughout nature carry out the same
function and are conserved.
The Bacteria (Eubacteria)
• Bacteria are prokaryotic cells.
• Like the Eukarya, they have membranes composed of
unbranched fatty acid chains attached to glycerol by ester
linkages .
• The cell walls of Bacteria, unlike the Archaea and the Eukarya,
contain peptidoglycan.
• Bacteria are sensitive to traditional antibacterial antibiotics but
are resistant to most antibiotics that affect Eukarya.
• Bacteria contain rRNA that is unique to the Bacteria as indicated
by the presence molecular regions distinctly different from the
rRNA of Archaea and Eukarya.
• Bacteria include mycoplasmas, cyanobacteria, Gram-positive
bacteria, and Gram-negative bacteria.
The Archaea (archaebacteria)
• Archaea are prokaryotic cells.
• Unlike the Bacteria and the Eukarya, the Archaea have membranes
composed of branched hydrocarbon chains (many also containing
rings within the hydrocarbon chains) attached to glycerol by ether
linkages.
• The cell walls of Archaea contain no peptidoglycan.
• Archaea are not sensitive to some antibiotics that affect
the Bacteria, but are sensitive to some antibiotics that affect
the Eukarya.
• Archaea contain rRNA that is unique to the Archaea as indicated by the
presence molecular regions distinctly different from the rRNA
of Bacteria and Eukarya.
• Archaea often live in extreme environments and include methanogens,
extreme halophiles, and hyperthermophiles. One reason for this is
that the ether-containing linkages in the Archaea membranes is more
stabile than the ester-containing linkages in the Bacteria and Eukarya.
The Eukarya (eukaryotes)
• Eukarya have eukaryotic cells.
• Like the Bacteria, they have membranes composed of
unbranched fatty acid chains attached to glycerol by ester
linkages.
• Not all Eukarya possess cells with a cell wall, but for
those Eukarya having a cell wall, that wall contains no
peptidoglycan.
• Eukarya are resistant to traditional antibacterial antibiotics but
are sensitive to most antibiotics that affect eukaryotic cells.
• Eukarya contain rRNA that is unique to the Eukarya as indicated
by the presence molecular regions distinctly different from the
rRNA of Archaea and Bacteria.
• Four Kingdoms: Protista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia
LUCA
Two Domain system
• James A. Lake et al., 2015
1. Prokaryota
2. Eukaryota
• Based on phylogenetic analysis revealing many
shared features among Archaea and Bacteria.
• Not yet gained widespread acceptance as the Three
domain system.