Categories of Biological Classification Section 14.1

Taxonomy The science of naming and classifying organisms Until the mid-1700s, biologists named an organism by adding descriptive phrases to its common name. Common names are confusing – because of different languages & different place names

Binomial Nomenclature: In the 1700s, a Swedish biologist Carl Linnaeus developed a scientific system of naming to solve problems with common names. Binomial nomenclature – two-name naming system Now used by scientists everywhere.

Scientific Names: The unique two-part name for a species (binomial nomenclature). The first word is the genus - a taxonomic category containing similar species. The second word is the species – a group of similar organisms that can produce fertile offspring. Both names are in Latin – the universal language of science. This genus name is always capitalized; the species name is always lower case. Both names are either written in italics or underlined.

Grouping Organisms: Linnaeus had a system of classification for plants and animals only - no bacteria, fungi, or protists. His system was based only on the organism’s looks. Modern taxonomy has expanded this system: we have more kingdoms & use relationships to classify groups.

Modern groupings, from most inclusive to least inclusive: Domain Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species

Biological Hierarchy of Classification

Classification Hierarchy of Organisms

Classification of a Bee