Taxonomy and the Linnean System

Flashcards covering the Linnean taxonomic hierarchy, Carl Woese's three-domain system, and binomial nomenclature based on the ST110 taxonomy assignment.

Kingdom

The main category of plant or animal in the Linnean System hierarchy.

Phylum (division)

The major unit of organization ranked below Kingdom.

Class

A taxonomic group that shares basic characteristics.

Order

A group of organisms that have a large degree of common characteristics.

Family

A taxonomic group that is related in some way.

Genus

The first grouping of species where only closely related species are grouped together; it is represented by a capitalized Latin name.

Species

A group of similar organisms that can reproduce.

Three-domain classification system

A system introduced in 1990 by Carl Woese that ranked domains higher than kingdoms.

Archaea

Prokaryotic organisms (no nucelar membrane) that live in harsh environments consisting of high acidity, high levels of salt, and high temperatures.

Bacteria

Prokaryotic organisms that live in environments suitable to sustaining human life, such as bacteria capable of photosynthesis and Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.

Eukarya

A domain consisting of fungi (including mushrooms and yeasts), plants (such as mosses and flowering plants), and animals (including vertebrates).

First term (Binomial nomenclature)

The part of a binomial nomenclature that represents the genus.

Second term (Binomial nomenclature)

The part of a binomial nomenclature that represents the species.

Linnean System Hierarchy (Top to Bottom)

1. Kingdom, 2. Phylum (division), 3. Class, 4. Order, 5. Family, 6. Genus, 7. Species.