Classification

Classification

The grouping of living organisms.

Artificial classifications

Grouping organisms based on non-predictive features such as body parts.

Natural classifications

Grouping organisms according to evolutionary relationships, making them predictive and accurate.

Phylogenetic classifications

Differentiating organisms based on genetic features.

Carolus Linnaeus

Scientist who developed modern classification and binomial nomenclature.

Binomial nomenclature

A standard way of identifying a species with a scientific two-word name.

Morphology

The study of the structure of organisms used in classification.

Extremophiles

Organisms found in extreme environments, classified under Archaea.

Eubacteria

Modern bacteria, characterized by having peptidoglycan in their cell walls.

Eukarya

Organisms with membrane-bound organelles and defined nucleus, including plants, animals, and fungi.

Monera

The kingdom that includes all prokaryotes, both Eubacteria and Archaea.

Protista

A kingdom that includes eukaryotic unicellular or multicellular organisms, generally aquatic.

Fungi

Eukaryotic organisms with chitin cell walls that are heterotrophs.

Plantae

Multicellular eukaryotes with cellulose cell walls and autotrophic feeding.

Animalia

The kingdom containing multicellular, heterotrophic organisms without cell walls.

Cladograms

Branching diagrams used to show the evolutionary relationships between different species.

Taxa

Levels of classification in a hierarchical system.

Latin

The language most commonly used in binomial nomenclature.

Common names

Names given to organisms that do not reflect their classification or relatedness.

Eukaryotes

Organisms with cells that have membrane-bound organelles.

Prokaryotes

Single-celled organisms without a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles.

Chemical classification

Grouping organisms based on biochemical properties.

Shared traits

Characteristics that organisms have in common used to classify them.

Species

A specific group of living organisms capable of interbreeding.

Phylogeny

The evolutionary history and relationships among species.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

Molecular data used to differentiate between the three domains of life.

Genetic analysis

Modern technique complicating traditional classification systems.

Monophyletic group

A group of organisms that evolved from a common ancestor.

Chitin

A structural component of the cell walls of fungi.

Cellulose

A complex carbohydrate forming the cell walls of plants.

Plasmodium

A genus of unicellular organisms, known as malaria parasites.

Cyanobacteria

Photosynthetic bacteria also known as blue-green algae.

Ester-linked lipids

Type of membrane composition found in archaeal cells.

Phospholipid bilayer

The membrane structure typical in eubacterial cells.

Eukaryotic cells

Cells that contain a nucleus and organelles.

Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead organic material.

Vascular tissue

Tissue in plants responsible for the transport of water and nutrients.

Xylem

Vascular tissue that transports water and minerals in plants.

Phloem

Vascular tissue that transports sugars and nutrients in plants.

Invertebrates

Animals without a backbone.

Vertebrates

Animals with a backbone.

Radial symmetry

Body plan where parts are arranged around a central axis.

Bilateral symmetry

Body plan that can be divided into mirror-image halves.

Protostome

Organisms whose mouth develops from the first opening in the embryo.

Deuterostome

Organisms whose mouth develops from the second opening in the embryo.

DNA evidence

Genetic information used to determine evolutionary relationships.

Red panda

Unique species classified in the family Ailuridae, resembling raccoons.

Ailuridae

The family that includes the red panda.

Similarity in characteristics

Common traits shared between organisms that influence their classification.