Classifying Organisms 7th grade science
Biologists group organisms based on similarities!
Classification – is the process of grouping things based on their similarities Biologists use classification to organize living things into groups so that the organisms are easier to study
Taxonomy – the scientific study of how living things are classified Taxonomy is useful because it provides scientists with specific information about particular organisms Ex: if you know a crow is classified as a bird, then you know that a crow has wings, feathers and a beak
The Naming System of Linnaeus: Swedish naturalist, Carolus Linnaeus, created a system of naming organisms that is still used today Linnaeus place organisms in groups based on their observable features, and have organisms a unique two-part scientific name
Binomial Nomenclature – the naming system Linnaeus used The first word in an organism’s scientific name is its genus Genus – is a classification grouping that contains similar, closely related organisms Ex: pumas, marbled cats and house cats are all classified in the genus Felis – they all share characteristics such as sharp, retractable claws and behaviors such as hunting other animals The second word in a scientific name often describes a distinctive feature of an organism, such as where it lives or its appearance Mountain Lion Puma concolor -- Marbled Cat - Pardofelis marmorata House cat Felis domesticus
Species – is a group of similar organisms that can mate with each other and produce offspring that can also mate and reproduce Ex: marmorata means marbled, and describes the pattern on the animal’s coat Felis marmorata was a cat, here are some other species called marmorata! Look at their pattern. Trota marmorata Actinemys marmorata Dossinia marmorata
How to Write a Scientific Name: The complete scientific name is write in italics On the first letter of the first word is capitalized-in other words, only the genus is capitalized The first letter of the second word is lower case The scientific name for the common house cat is Felis domesticus
Did King Peter Come Over For, Grandmas Spaghetti? Levels of Classification: Organisms are classified into eight levels - the more classification levels that two organisms share, the more characteristics they have in common Did King Peter Come Over For, Grandmas Spaghetti?
Spaghetti Grandmas For, Over Come Peter King Did
As you move through the levels of classification, the number of organisms decreases – the organisms at final levels share more characteristics with each other Classifying an Owl: Domain = Eukarya Kingdom = Animalia Phylum = Chrodata Class = Aves Order = Strigiformes Family = Strigidae Genus = Bubo Species = virginianus Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)
It doesn’t matter if you place the Domain at the top or the bottom of the chart, the domain is always the broadest or largest classification and the species is the smallest or more specific classification.