Classifying Organisms Pt.1: Taxonomy

What 2 methods were developed to classify organisms

• Taxonomy

• Phylogeny

Classical taxonomy

• The identification and classification of living organisms

• Developed by Carl Linnaeus

• Grouped based on observable anatomical similaritiy between species

• Newly discovered species were grouped with similar ones that were already known

Current 7 major ‘taxa’ (Each group called a taxon)

• Kingdom (least specific)

• Phylum

• Class

• Order

• Family

• Genus

• Species (most specific)

Similarities increase…

as the categories get more specific

What determines if 2 organisms are of the same species

They are able to successfully produce fertile off spring

Binomial nomenclatures

• Individuals are named using their genus and species names

• Genus species (both underlined or italicized)

What does taxonomy not address

Does not address the relatedness since when it was developed, creation of species was assumed, rather than the gradual evolution of modern species from pre-existing ones.

Dichotomous keys

• Developed to help identify organisms based on their physical appearance

• Aids in identification

• A series of branching, two-part statements