Taxonomy &

Classification

I. Why Classify?A. So we can answer questions about

our own existence and relationships of all organisms.

B. Only14% of species are identified.

C. It’s estimated 8.7 million eukaryotic species are undiscovered. 2.2 million of the undiscovered reside in the ocean.

II. TaxonomyA. Definition – study of classification of organisms.

B. Developed by Carolus Linnaeus- aSwedish botanist and medical doctor

C. Linnaeus’ system of classification has seven levels.

D. The division of levels is base on like traits among organisms.

E. Levels from highest to lowest:

Kingdom--- all inclusive

Phylum

Class

Order

Family Genus

Species-very specific traits

F. The Scientific Name1. Binomial Nomenclature is a two-word naming system used to name organism 2. Latin is the language used for this process.

3. Comprised of the Genus and species.

4. Genus

a. is groups of closely related species.

b. written first, capitalized, italicized

5. Species

a. a group of organisms able to breed and produce fertile offspring.

b. written second, lowercase, italicized 6. Examples:

Homo sapiensCanus lupus

7. Example: Human

Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Primates Family Hominidae Genus Homo Species sapiens

III. Today’s Classification System

A. Today classification of organisms is largely based upon phylogeny.

B. Phylogeny – classification of organisms based upon evolutionary trends and genetic changes. (meaning they now use DNA analysis in the Process)

IV. KingdomsA. There are Six Kingdoms: with

very distinguishing features, so let’s review them.

B. Eubacteria, Archaebacteria,

Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.

1. Eubacteriaa. Unicellular

b. Prokaryotic

c. Some able to move

d. Have a cell wall

e. Live in all normal environments.

2. Archaeabacteria

a. Unicellular

b. Prokaryotic

c. Some able to move

d. Have a cell walle. Live in extreme environments f. Examples: volcanic hot springs,

brine pools, and black organic mud totally devoid of oxygen.

3. Protistaa. single-celledb. Eukaryotic cells-those with membrane

bound organelles (including mitochondria and chloroplasts). c. Move by cilia, flagella, or amoeboid motiond. Usually no cell walle. Heterotrophic and/or

autotrophic feeding

a. Multi-cellular

b. Eukaryotic

c. Has a cell wall

d. Heterotrophic

e. Do not move

4. Fungi

a. Multi-cellular

b. Eukaryotic

c. Has a cell wall

d. Autotrophic

e. Don't move

5. Plantae

a. Multicellularb. Eukaryoticc. Heterotrophicd. Various means of movement

6. Animalia

1. A tool used to classify things 2. Based on visual characteristics or traits. 3. The Process

a. The traits of the thing trying to be identity are placed on a list.

b. Below each trait is a positive and a negative statement about the

trait.

V. A Dichotomous Key

c. At the end of each statement is either the name of the thing you are

trying to identify or the next reference number to go to.d. Continue until you have identified

each thing! e. Always start at #1 with each thing.f. Let’s looks at an example.

1A Thread shows when button is sewn on Go to 2

1B Thread does not show when button is sewn Go to 9

     

2A Button has holes Go to 3

2B Button has bar in single hole Go to 11

     

3A Button has 2 holes Go to 4

3B Button has 4 holes Go to 5

     

4A Button is elliptical around the holes Bernie

4B Button is not elliptical around the holes BeBe

     

5A Button has a rounded raised edge design Go to 7

5B Button does not have a rounded raised edge design Go to 6

     

6A Button is a solid color Buster

6B Button is multicolored Bart

     

7A Button is square with rounded corners Benny

7B Button is not square Go to 8

     

8A Button is a solid color Barb

8B Button is multicolored Bert

Button Family Dichotomous Key