Unit 4: Classification and Diversity of Life

Taxonomy

Science of classifying and naming organisms. Physical and structural similarities

2 kingdom system

Plantae and Animalia, until 1866

Domain

Highest taxonomic rank in biological classification.

Kingdom

Second highest taxonomic rank, groups organisms.

Prokaryotes

Single-celled organisms without membrane-bound nuclei.

Eukaryotes

Organisms with membrane-bound nuclei and organelles.

Binomial Nomenclature

Two-part scientific naming system for species (Genus and Species).

Genus

First part of a species name, capitalized, noun.

Species

Group of organisms capable of interbreeding. has both genus and specific epithet (second part of name)

Variety

Distinct variation within a species. ex. Prunus virgiana var. melanocarpa

Linnaean Classification System

Hierarchical system for naming and classifying organisms. Developed by Carolus Linnaeus

Kingdom Monera

Former kingdom for all prokaryotic organisms.

Kingdom Fungi

Includes molds and mushrooms, distinct from plants.

Domain Bacteria

Includes some single-celled prokaryotes, largest kingdom, classified by shape, need for action and disease engagement

Domain Archaea

Some single-celled prokaryotes, diff cell wall than bacteria

In what type of environments do Archaea typically live?

Extreme environments such as deep sea vents, hot geysers, cold water, and salt lakes

Domain Eukarya

Includes all organisms with eukaryotic cells (distinct nucleus, membrane bound organelles). single-celled, colonial or multicellular

Ranks in order

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

Species Name Format

Italicized, first part capitalized, second lowercase.

Specific Epithet

Second part of the species name, descriptive. if unknown use sp.

Taxon (Taxa)

Group of organisms in a classification system. i.e. all animals in one species

Ernst Haeckel

Proposed a new kingdom for single-celled organisms.

Herbert Copeland

Argued for separate kingdom for prokaryotes.

Carl Woese

Divided Monera into Bacteria and Archaea.

Ernst Haeckel

move all single-celled into one kingdom

Herbert Copeland

prokaryotes (no membrane-bound nucleus or organelles) own kingdom (kingdom monera)

Robert Whittaker

fungi own kingdom (cuz of how they feed)

Carl Woese

divided kingdom monera (bacteria and archea). they were two genetically different types of prokaryotes

both had diff cell wall chemistry

all life divided into 3 domains (which are above kingdoms)