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Understanding Classification in Biology

The document discusses the classification of living things. It explains that classification involves organizing things into groups based on similar characteristics. Early classification by Aristotle grouped organisms based on traits like blood and reproduction. Later, Carolus Linnaeus developed binomial nomenclature using two-name scientific classifications with genus and species in Latin or Greek. Modern taxonomy uses multiple lines of evidence like DNA, physiology and evolution to classify organisms into eight main taxonomic ranks from domain to species.

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53 views13 pages

Understanding Classification in Biology

The document discusses the classification of living things. It explains that classification involves organizing things into groups based on similar characteristics. Early classification by Aristotle grouped organisms based on traits like blood and reproduction. Later, Carolus Linnaeus developed binomial nomenclature using two-name scientific classifications with genus and species in Latin or Greek. Modern taxonomy uses multiple lines of evidence like DNA, physiology and evolution to classify organisms into eight main taxonomic ranks from domain to species.

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dbhatt55
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Classification of Living Things

Why do we classify things?


Supermarket aisles Libraries Classes Teams/sports Members of a family Roads Cities Money

What is classification?

Classification: putting things into orderly groups based on similar characteristics

Taxonomy: the science of describing, naming, and classifying organisms

Early classification

Aristotle grouped everything into simple groups such as animals or plants He then grouped animals according to if they had blood or didnt have blood, and if they had live young or laid eggs, and so on

Binomial Nomenclature

Developed by Carolus Linnaeus


Swedish Biologist 1700s Two-name system Genus and species named using Latin or Greek words

Rules used to write scientific names

Homo sapiens

An organisms genus is always written first; the organisms species is always written second The genus is Capitalized; the species is written in lower case Scientific names of organisms are always italicized or underlined

Modern Taxonomy
The Evidence used to classify into taxon groups

1) Embryology 2) Chromosomes / DNA 3) Biochemistry 4) Physiology 5) Evolution 6) Behavior

The modern system of classification has 8 levels:


Domain
Kingdom

Order
Family

Phylum
Class

Genus
Species

Helpful way to remember the 8 levels

Dumb kids playing catch on freeways get squashed


Ormake up your own

DKPCOFGS

Using the Classification System


Field guides help identify organisms. -they highlight differences between similar organisms (like trees)

Taxonomic Key (Dichotomous Key) -paired statements that describe the physical characteristics of different organisms

Taxonomic Key

1a Fruits occur singly ................................................. Go to 3 1b Fruits occur in clusters of two or more ................ Go to 2 2a Fruits are round ................................................... Grapes 2b Fruits are elongate ............................................... Bananas 3a Thick skin that separates easily from flesh .........Oranges 3b Thin skin that adheres to flesh .............................. Go to 4 4a More than one seed per fruit ............................ Apples 4b One seed per fruit ............................................ Go to 5 5a Skin covered with fuzz.................... Peaches 5b Skin smooth, without fuzz........................... Plums

What steps would you use to identify an apple?

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