CLASSIFICATION
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Transcript of CLASSIFICATION
CLASSIFICATION
Chapter 17
What is Classification?? Classification is the arrangement of
organisms into orderly groups based on their similarities.
Classification is also known as taxonomy.
A person who identifies and names organisms is known as a Taxonomist.
Why do we Classify Organisms? To have accurate and universal names
for organisms (regardless of what language you speak).
Prevents the mis-naming of organisms (such as starfish and jelly fish which are not really fish!!
History of Classification -Boring old people, yeah!! Aristotle was the first official taxonomist
2000 years ago. He divided organisms into two
categories - plants and animals He then subdivided them based on their
habitat (land, sea, air), And by their morphology (the way they
look).
Problems with Aristotle's System Species are not unchanging Did not account for evolutionary
relationships among organisms Some organisms did not fit easily
Frogs live on land and in water
Carolus Linnaeus 18th century taxonomist Called the “Father of Taxonomy” Based his classification system on
observable characteristics. Developed binomial nomenclature.
Binomial Nomenclature Two-Part naming system. First part Genus Second part species It is always in Latin Capitalize Genus but NOT species Italicize when typing; underline when
writing.
Today’s Classification System Still uses all the things Aristotle and
Linnaeus brought to the table. In addition, we now know about DNA! DNA allows us to examine how closely
related organisms are to one another.
Taxonomic Categories Taxon (plural = taxa) is a category into
which related organisms are placed. There is a hierarchy of 8 groups (taxa)
from broadest to most specific. Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order,
Family, Genus, Species
How to remember the order of the Taxa!
Dear King Phillip Came Over For Good Soup!
Turn to page 489!ACTIVITY: Classify a giant panda, Ailuropoda melanoleuca, completely from domain to species level by referring to Figure 17.4.
Answer to Activity:Eukarya, Animalia, Chordata, Mammalia, Carnivora, Ursidae, Ailuropoda, melanoleuca