Classification

What is classification? classification is the grouping of objects or information based on similarities taxonomy is the science of classifying organisms

Scientific Naming Common names are used in everyday speaking Ex. cat Scientific names are universally accepted by all scientists Ex. Felis domesticus

Scientific Naming Carolus Linnaeus developed the rules of binomial nomenclature: the name must be in Latin the 1st word is always capitalized the 2nd word is always lowercase the whole two word name must be underlined

Classification Categories Linnaeus developed the taxa (categories) that are used today: Kingdom Family Phylum/division Genus Class Species Order

Which two taxa make up a scientific name? genus & species

How do scientists classify organisms today? Evolutionary history (phylogeny) Developmental stages (embryology) Similar chemistry (DNA, amino acids) Behavioral patterns (courtship rituals)

Phylogenetic Classification  species that share a common ancestor, also share an evolutionary history (phylogeny)

Cladistics shows how many organisms diverged from a common ancestor uses the idea of derived traits to make a branching diagram called a cladogram

Phylogenetic Trees use fossil evidence as well as genetic and cladistic info. to arrange organisms show relationships between modern and extinct species usually look like a tree