Classification and Taxonomy

1. Classification and Taxonomy

2. Learning Goals • I will be able to explain the purpose of taxonomy • I will be able to understand the 7 taxa levels and how to use them to show connections between organisms • I will be able to explain the 6 Kingdoms

3. Diversity of Life • There are over 2.5 millionidentified species • Some biologists believe there may be 20 millionmore that have not been discovered • How can you possibly keep track of all of these?

4. Global Naming of Organisms • One of the biggest challenges is having different namesfor the same organism in different parts of the world • Modern naming is based on Greekand Latinwords • Originally biologists used long names to describe the physical characteristicsof the organism • Unfortunately not everyone used the same characteristicsand many of these names were very long

5. Linnaeus • Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist, developed a system for naming organisms • Binomial Nomenclatureis a system that gives each organism a two part scientific name • For Example: Red Maple = Acer rubrum

6. What’s in a name? • The whole name is in Italics or underlined • The first name is the Genusname and the second name is the Speciesname • The Genus name is Capitalizedthe species name is not capitalized • The species name normally describes a characteristic of the species

7. Classifying Organisms • Once Linnaeus had come up with a system for naming organisms he started to group them • Organisms were put into groups based on similar characteristics • These groups are called Taxaand the science of naming and grouping is called Taxonomy

8. 8 Layer Classification System • Taxonomy uses a system of 7 levels of taxa • The organisms in each Taxon become more closely related as you move down the ladder • The Taxons in order of most general to most specific are: Domian, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus Species • Kids Play Catch Over Farmer Green’s Shack

11. Evolution of Classification Systems • Linnaeus’ original system was based on 2 main Kingdoms: • Kindom Animalia and Kingdom Plantae • Today we have a six kingdom system • Eubacteria • Archaebacteria • Protista • Fungi • Plantae • Animalia

12. What factors contribute to how organisms are classified? • Evolutionary connections • Homologous structures • Embryonic development

13. Eubacteria Unicellular Prokaryotic Can be hetertrophic, autotrophic, or saprotrophic

14. Archae • Unicellular • Prokaryotic • Ancient bacteria, often extreme environments, often anaerobic • Heterotrophic only (no autotrophs)

15. Protista • Unicellular & multicellular • Eukaryotic • Animal-like, plant-like, fungi-like • Heterotrophic, autotrophic, saprotrophic

16. Fungi • multicellular & eukaryotic • Cell wall made of chitin (animal material) • saprotrophic

17. Plantae • multicellular & eukaryotic • Cell wall made of cellulose • Autotrophic

18. Animalia • multicellular & eukaryotic • Heterotrophic • No wall cell (only cell membrane)

19. Activity Creepy Critters Classify the organisms In each ziplock bag Justify your classification system

20. To Discuss… • What factors are most important when classifying organisms? • What benefits come from classifying organisms? • Did it make things easier when you had to classify the new species?

21. Your Exit Ticket • Put your name on top of a lined sheet of paper • Answer the following questions to show your learning of todays goals: • What is taxonomy? • What are the 7 taxa? • What are the 6 kingdoms? • Why is taxonomy important in the study of biology?