Introduction to Organization of Life and Scientific Method

This set covers the classification of life using the taxonomic hierarchy, the rules for scientific naming, and the fundamental steps of the scientific method.

Linnaeus

The eighteenth-century figure associated with establishing the naming system and taxonomic hierarchy for organisms.

Taxonomy

The practice and job of naming things.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

The organizational system of life that moves from large categories to small, specifically: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species.

Species

A group of organisms that can interbreed in nature and produce fertile offspring.

Genus

The first part of a two-part scientific species name, which is always capitalized (e.g., Homo in Homo sapiens).

Specific name

The second part of a two-part scientific species name, usually an adjective or Latinized word, which is not capitalized.

Scientific Name Formatting

The practice of italicizing both parts of a species name or underlining them if handwriting.

Canis lupus

The scientific name for both dogs and wolves, indicating they are members of the same species.

Mammals

An order of organisms characterized by the possession of mammary glands.

Phylum Chordata

The taxonomic level that includes diverse organisms such as humans, whales, dogs, snakes, and fish.

Domain Eukarya

A domain of life where all organisms have a defined nucleus inside their cells containing their DNA.

Domain Bacteria

One of the three domains of life consisting of 'true bacteria' which lack a defined nucleus.

Domain Archaea

A domain of life consisting of ancient organisms that lack a nucleus and tend to live in extreme environments.

Peer Review

The self-policing scientific process where expert journals scrutinize data before it is published in a publication.

Hypothesis

A tentative explanation meant to answer a question derived from an observation.

Scientific Method

A process typically involving observation, question, hypothesis, prediction, and testing through experimentation.