Mini Unit - Taxonomy

Mini unit - Taxonomy, in life science 11

Taxonomy

Classification grouping and naming organisms based on their different characteristics

• Continuous changing as new evidence evokes

Aristotle

Greek philosopher in 384-322 BC known as the “father of biology”

• Developed the first system of biological classification that were widely used

• System was grouped by either plant or animal, as well subdivided into size and structure

Importance of taxonomy

Identify differences in structures, functions, development and evolutionary history of organisms

• Overcoming language barriers

• System that’s free from personal bias

Carlous Limaeus

Known as the “Father of modern taxonomy”, the Swedish botanist who developed the first formal system of taxonomic organization and binomial nomenclature

Binomial Nomenclature

Naming for organisms in 2-part scientific name

• First word for the genus (first letter capitalized), second word for the species (lowercase)

• Italicized if typed, underlined if written

Taxon

Groups of organisms that have been formally named and classified under the taxonomic system

• Refers to any group regardless of rank

Classification Levels

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species

Binomial Nomenclature purpose

Shows relationships and structural similarities between organisms

Domain

The broadest classification level in Taxonomy

• Three main domains: Bacteria, Archaea, Eukaryote

Kingdom

Second highest category classified by cell type (eukaryotic vs. prokaryotic) and body form (unicellular vs. multicellular) and method of obtaining food

Six Kingdoms

• Eubacteria & Archaebacteria (formerly grouped in Monera)

• Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia

Phylum

Third highest category classified by shared evolutionary ancestry and general body plan and anatomy

• Group of closely related classes

Class

Fourth highest category classified that shares more in depth characteristics

Morphological Characteristics

Methods for species comparison based on physical similarities between species.

• Homologous structures

• Analogous structures

Biochemical Characteristics

Compares species based on DNA and nucleotide sequences between species to determine their evolutionary relationships