TAXONOMY
By: Asiah Edwards
TAXONOMY
• The science of classification
• Kingdom, Phylum: Subphylum, Superclass, Class: Subclass, Superorder, Order:
Suborder, Superfamily, Family: Subfamily, Genesis: Subgenus, Species:
Subspecies.
BINOMIAL NOMENCLATURE
• The two name system for identifying organisms developed by C. Linnaeus.
• The binomial nomenclature for humans is Homo sapiens.
COMMON NAMES
• Terms that differ in different regions and can add to confusion when trying to
identify organisms.
• Blue Crab
KINGDOM
• Kingdom is a taxonomic rank that is composed of smaller groups called
phyla or divisions for plants. Considered the highest rank in Taxonomy.
• Kingdom Monera, Kingdom Protista, Kingdom Fungi, Kingdom Plantae, and
Kingdom Animalia.
PHYLUM
• The primary subdivision of a taxonomic kingdom, grouping together all
classes of organisms that have the same body plan.
• An example would be the phylum Arthropods also known as insects.
CLASS
• The usual major subdivision of a phylum or division in the classification of
organisms, usually consisting of several orders.
• An example of class would be Mammalia.
ORDER
• A taxonomic rank used in classifying organisms, generally below the class,
and comprised of families sharing a set of similar nature or character.
• The horse, rhinoceros, and tapir families are grouped in the order
Perissodactyla.
FAMILY
• A taxonomic rank in the classification of organisms between genus and
order.
• Hummingbirds are usually grouped in the family Trochilidae.
GENUS
• A taxonomic rank that includes group(s) of species that are structurally
similar or phylogenetically related.
• Homo is the genus for humans.
SPECIES
• The lowest taxonomic rank and the most basic unit or category of biological
classification.
• sapiens is the species classification for humans.
SCIENTIFIC NAME
• The Genus and species name assigned to one organism; usually Latin.
• The scientific name for the black footed ferret is Mustela nigripes.
ARISTOTLE
• Greek philosopher who developed a crude classification that separated
organisms based on where they lived.
• Aristotle created the first classification system over 2000 years ago
LINNAEUS
• Scientist who developed the system of classification still in use today using
seven taxons and binomial nomenclature.
• Linnaeus was the one who thought to use binomial names putting the genus
first and the species last.
EVOLUTIONARY CLASSIFICATION
• Scientists determine an organisms evolutionary history by looking at gene
sequence similarities in its DNA and RNA as well as looking at its physical
characteristics.
• The eagle and the crane are related to the Archaeopteryx.
DNA/RNA
• Nucleic acids in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells that controls growth,
development and maintenance of organisms; comparisons of DNA and RNA
are used to determine how closely related organisms are.
• Your DNA helps to give you certain traits like black hair or green eyes.
CLADOGRAM
• A diagram developed to show evolutionary relationships based on derived
characteristics.
CLADISTIC ANALYSIS
• Scientists determine an organisms evolutionary history by looking at gene
sequence similarities in its DNA and RNA as well as looking at its physical
characteristics.
MOLECULAR CLOCK
• DNA comparisons in 2 species can compare how dissimilar the genes are;
This dissimilarity indicates how long the 2 species shared a common
ancestor.
NEUTRAL MUTATIONS
• Unpredictable changes in DNA that produce variations that have no
apparent affect on the success or fitness of an organism.
DERIVED CHARACTERS
• Changes that develop in organisms that are different from their ancestors.
• Using your right hand when you’re left handed.
ARCHAEA
• Prokaryotic Archaeabacteria that can survive unusually harsh environments.
BACTERIA
• Prokaryotic Eubacteria such as streptococci and E.coli.
EUKARYA
• Includes 4 kingdoms of eukaryotic organisms: Protist, Fungi, Plantae, and
Animalia.
ARCHAEBACTERIA
• Ancient forms of bacteria that survive extreme heat, acidity, or salinity or
even methane.
• The crenarchaeota is a type of Archaebacteria.
EUBACTERIA
• Slightly more advanced bacteria found in three common shapes: bacilli,
cocci, and spirilla; range from mutualistic and beneficial forms to extremely
deadly parasitic forms.
PROTISTA
• Mostly unicellular either photosynthetic or heterotrophic organisms.
FUNGI
• Mostly multicellular heterotrophic plant-like organisms with cell walls made
out of chitin
PLANTAE
• Multicellular autotrophic plants with cellulose cell walls.
ANIMALIA
• Multicellular heterotrophic organism having no cell wall and most with some
form of sensory/nerve conduction.