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Classification

Classification involves grouping organisms based on their similarities. There are two main methods - artificial classification uses visible traits, while natural classification reflects evolutionary relationships. Organisms are classified into a hierarchy of taxonomic ranks from broad (kingdom) to specific (species). The scientific name for each species uses binomial nomenclature, providing the genus and specific epithet. Classification helps distinguish species, identify unknown organisms, and understand evolutionary relationships.

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9 views

Classification

Classification involves grouping organisms based on their similarities. There are two main methods - artificial classification uses visible traits, while natural classification reflects evolutionary relationships. Organisms are classified into a hierarchy of taxonomic ranks from broad (kingdom) to specific (species). The scientific name for each species uses binomial nomenclature, providing the genus and specific epithet. Classification helps distinguish species, identify unknown organisms, and understand evolutionary relationships.

Uploaded by

kaiya mollenthiel
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Classification

FORM 3
MS. HEADLEY
Objectives
• Define Classification
• Suggest reasons why classification is important
• 1.1 State how organisms are classified into groups: Kingdom- Species.
Outline the major taxonomic groups (kingdom, etc. see syllabus)
• 1.2 Classification of organisms into taxonomic groups based on physical
characteristics.
Recap
• All living organisms carry out GRIMNER.
• What is GRIMNER?
Activity 1
• Empty your pencil case.
• Classify your stationery
• Once done you should be abl to explain how you did such
What is Classification ?

• Classification refers to the grouping of living organisms based on similar


physical, morphological, behavioral, biochemical characteristics.
Methods of classification
• There are two basic methods to classifying living organisms

1. Artificial classification
2. Natural classification
Artificial Classification
• This type pf classification uses observable characteristics such as
- Colour
- Size
- Shape
- Number of legs
• This is a very easy and convenient way to classify organisms but does not take into
consideration evolutionary origins. E.g., butterflies, birds both have wings but
originated in different ways
Natural Classification
• This type of classification is more widely used.
• Organisms are grouped based on shared features from ancestors and reflect
their evolutionary descent.
• This system is structured as a hierarchy where organisms are classified into
large groups, which are then subdivided into smaller groups.
• Each group is called a taxon. (plural taxa)
Why do we classify ?
• Helps us distinguish between different species (avoid confusion)
• Helps to identify unknown species
• Makes studying a wide variety of organisms easy
• Helps us understand how organisms evolved (show ancestral relationship)
• Facilitates identification of newly discovered organisms and helps us avoid
renaming pre-existing species
• Forms the basis for nomenclature
Studying similarities and differences between organisms help us to understand
how all living things are related (evolutionary relationship) and
how they interact with each other (ecological relationship).
• Evolutionary
1. Species with similar characteristics often have similar genes because they share a recent common
ancestor, so they’re closely related. They often look very alike and tend to live in similar types of habitat
e.g. whales, dolphins
2. Occasionally genetically different species might look alike too. E.g., sharks and dolphins ( they look
similar but both have adapted to living in the same habitat. But they're not closely related as they
evolved from different ancestors.
3. Evolutionary trees show common ancestors and relationships between organisms. The more recent the
common ancestor, the more closely related the two species are.
• Ecological
1. If we see organisms in the same environment with similar characteristics it suggests they might be in
competition (e.g. for food source).
2. Differences between organisms in the same environment can show predator- prey relationships.
How do we classify organisms

• The science of classification is known as TAXONOMY

• The basic unit of classification is a SPECIES.


TAXON
Bacteria and Archaea are two ancient groups
ALL other organisms are placed into Eukarya- plants and animals
TAXON DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE
KINGDOM The largest group. Living organisms are Animalia
divided in 5 kingdoms
PHYLUM Organisms which have similar body Arthropoda
plan, such as an external skeleton or
jointed limbs
CLASS Organisms which have additional Insects
features in common e.g., all arthropods
have 3 pairs of jointed legs
ORDER Subset of a class, where organisms have Hymenoptera
similar features e.g., ants, bees and
wasps
FAMILY A group of organisms with very similar Formicidae
features
GENUS A clear closely related group within a Atta
family
SPECIES A specific type of organism Atta texana
Kingdoms
Worked EXAMPLE
What is a species

• A species is a group of organisms of common ancestry, with similar genes


that closely resemble each other and are normally capable of interbreeding to
produce fertile offspring
How do we classify and name species ?

• With over 2 million different species of living things in the world and new
species being discovered everyday it’s important to have a classification
system.
• The Binomial system of nomenclature was pioneered by Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus
(1707-78).

• In this system living organisms are divided into several large groups or kingdoms, kingdoms are
split into phyla, phyla into classes, classes into orders, orders in families, families into genera,
and genera into species.
• A nice way to remember:
(Kids prefer cheese over fried green spinach)
Each organism has two Latin names-
• a generic name: beginning with a capital letter.
• A specific name: name beginning with a lower case.
e.g. Humans –Homo sapiens (italics are used to indicate Latin names). The genus can be abbreviated
to one letter H.sapiens.

• Each classification group is called a taxon. (plural –taxa). A taxon is a group of organisms which
share the same basic features (these could be structural, physiological, biochemical or behavioural)
HOME WORK

Using the table below classify the following organisms

1. Wolf Common name


2. Chimpanzee
3. Corn Kingdom
4. Mango Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species

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