Understanding Classification Systems

Student Learning Objectives: As a result of this lesson students will understand the purpose for classifying living species. As a result of this lesson students will learn how to utilize biological classification systems.

What is biological classification and why do we use it? Classification is the grouping of objects or information based on similarities. Taxonomy is the branch of biology that groups and names organisms based on studies of their different characteristics. Organizing helps you to understand better and easier (just like in real life ) Classifications systems have been used for centuries, and have evolved dramatically from the beginning.

Aristotle’s Classification System Aristotle was a Greek philosopher developed the first accepted system of biological classification. He classified all organisms into two groups; plants and animals. He subdivided plants into three groups; herbs, trees, and shrubs depending on their size and structure of the plants. He divided animals according to where they spent a great deal of time: on land, in air or water. What problems might exist for such a broad grouping?

Linnaeus’s Classification System In the late eighteenth century a Swedish botanist, Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778), developed a method of grouping organisms that was more useful than Aristotle’s. Linnaeus’s system was based on physical and structural similarities of organisms. For example, he might use similarities in flower parts as a basis for classifying flowering plants.

Modern Classification Systems use a two-word naming system called binomial nomenclature In this system the first word identifies the genus of the organism, the second the species. The first word is always capitalized and the second is not, and is always found in italics. Homo sapiens, the name for humans, is an example. Binomial nomenclature is used today to give species their scientific names. Binomial nomenclature is very important in naming living species, because the language is always the same, regardless of the part of the world a person is in. This allows for scientists to have a common language to study these species.

Memorize the following King Philip Cooks Onions For Guest Strangers Why?

All species are classified according to biological classification systems that categorize organisms broad at first and then into increasing more detailed categories. If we use this saying, we can take the first letter of each word to remember the classification system for all living species.

King Philip Cooks Onions For Guest Strangers K stands for Kingdom P stands for Phylum C stands for Class O stands for Order F stands for Family G stands for Genus S stands for Species

In conclusion… Learning about each kingdom lets you know how life is organized and classified. Classification systems have gotten more complex over time. Every identified species can be classified according to biological classifciation! Try performing classifications on your own…