Organizing Life’s Organizing Life’s DiversityDiversity

ClassificationClassificationPart 1Part 1

• Biodiversity- Biodiversity- the variety of species in an area the variety of species in an area or the entire earth.or the entire earth.

• Classification-Classification- the grouping of objects based the grouping of objects based on similar qualities.on similar qualities.

• Taxonomy-Taxonomy- the branch of biology in which organisms are classified and named based on studies of their different characteristics.

AristotleAristotle

• Developed the first widely accepted method of classification.

• Classified organisms into two groups– Plants: subdivided into herbs, shrubs, and trees– Animals: subdivided into characteristics based on

habitat and physical differencesdifferences

Carolus LinnaeusCarolus Linnaeus

• Developed a method of classification still used today.

• Classified organisms based on their physical and structural similaritiessimilarities.

• What is the benefit of classifying organisms based on similarities versus differences?

• Classification based on similarities requires a more detailed knowledge of the organism and those it is being compared to.

• According to Aristotle’s method, birds and bats were classified together because both could fly. However, a bat has more in common with mammals: (hair, produces milk, etc)

Modern ClassificationModern Classification

Panther Cougar

Puma Catamount

Mountain Lion Mountain Cat

Modern ClassificationModern Classification

• Common Name- Common Name- regional name (nickname) given to a species. – A scientist reports on a specific species of bird

found in America and several counties in Europe. He uses the common name most Americans are familiar with. The readers in Europe have no idea which bird he is referring to. Why?

Modern ClassificationModern Classification

• Binomial Nomenclature- Binomial Nomenclature- a two word naming system that identifies a specific species.– First word is the genus – Second word is the specific epithet

• Genus-Genus- group of species that have similar features and are closely related.

• Specific Epithet- Specific Epithet- describes a characteristic unique to the species.

Scientific NamesScientific Names

• The species name for Humans (common name) is Homo sapiens (scientific name).

• Scientific Names- Scientific Names- names given to species using binomial nomenclature.– Latin language (dead language; does not change)– Italicized in print and underlined when

handwritten– First letter of genus name is uppercase– First letter of specific epithet is lowercase

Organizing Life’s Organizing Life’s DiversityDiversity

How Living Things are ClassifiedHow Living Things are ClassifiedPart 2Part 2

• Taxon-Taxon- a group of organisms (taxa- plural).

• Taxonomists rank organisms in taxa that range from very broad to very specific characteristics.

What is it?

• You are a taxonomist and you have just discovered something new. Now you must name it.

What is it?

• First you must determine if it’s living or non-living.– Is it made of cells?– Is it able to obtain and use

energy?– Is it able to maintain

homeostasis?– Is it able to reproduce?– Is it able to grow and develop?– Is it able to adapt to its

environment?

What is it?

• It’s living. Now you must determine the domain.

• Domain-Domain- three taxonomical categories all living things fall under (Archaea, Bacteria, or Eukarya).

What is it?

• The organism has a true cell so; its domain is Eukarya. Now you must determine the Kingdom.

• Kingdom-Kingdom- a group of similar phyla. There are six kingdoms:– Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists,

Archaebacteria, and Eubacteria

What is it?

• Based on the organism’s structure and behavior, it is classified in the Kingdom animalia.

• You continue to group the organism into more detailed characteristics until you reach a characteristic unique to the species.

What is it?

• Phylum/Division- Phylum/Division- group of similar classes. Division is used when classifying plants.

• Class-Class- group of similar orders.• Order-Order- group of similar families.• Family-Family- group of similar genus.• Genus-Genus- group of similar species• Species-Species- organisms that look

alike and can successfully interbreed.

What is it?

• Using binomial nomenclature you are able to give the scientific name of your species.

• Panthera pardus• Common name: leopard

KPCOFGSKPCOFGS

• Kingdom• Phylum/Division• Class• Order• Family• Genus• Species

• King• Philip• Came• Over• For• Good• Spaghetti