The Tree of Life: What is the Point?

Big Question Why Do We Classify Organisms?

Classification A process of grouping by similarities

Every Day Classification Organization at your desk.

The Science of Classification Scientist who classify or organize organisms (animals and plants) are called taxonomists. Taxonomists study taxonomy.

Taxonomy Branch of biology that groups and names organisms

New Discoveries Questions How can you answer these questions? Why is Taxonomy Important? Unknown species discovered. New fossil Uncovered.

What is Classification? Classification arranges objects, ideas, or information into groups by finding common traits or characters.

The History of Organization Aristotle BC Interested in biological classification. Patterns in nature. Carl Linnaeus ACE Father of Biological Classification!

2 Categories –Plants and Animals Animals – classified on where they lived –Land, water or air Plants – classified on the basis of structure and size –Tree, shrub, herb

Grouped organisms by similar structure Created two-part naming system Grouped similar species into same genus

Why Scientists Name Animals Varecia variegata

2 word latin name (by Linneus) Uses genus and species name (or descriptive name) Italics is used and Genus is capitalized –Quercus alba = white oak

Genus Species Common Name _______________________________________ Canisfamilaralis Canis lupus Felis domesticus Felis concolor Dog Wolf House Cat Mountain lion

How Classification Works Groups are arranged in hierarchical order.

Classification Puzzle

Brings order to the great diversity of life forms Serves as a basis for identifying unfamiliar organisms Provides a logical means of naming organisms

A series of paired statements used to identify organisms 1a. Has fur, go to…………………………2 b. Does not have fur……………………3 2a. Has straight fur………………………4 b. Has curly fur………………………….5 3a. Rough skin……………………………6 b. Smooth skin…………………………..7

Classification of life forms 3 Domains of Life Bacteria Archaea Eukarya Includes various Kingdoms: Animalia Plantae Fungi Protista Consist of PROKARYOTES

Domains of Life

7 Classification Groups: Kingdom (most inclusive) Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species (most specific) K ing P hillip C ame O ver F or G ood S paghetti

ORGANIZATION KINGDOMLargest PHYLUM CLASS ORDER FAMILY GENUS SPECIESSmallest

Which is the most difficult to assign? Species: Most specific Successful interbreeding Fertile offspring Donkey + Horse= Mule (infertile)

Cladogram A diagram showing branching from a common ancestor Traits separate each organisms – derived traits Assumption – groups of organisms that diverge from common ancestor retain unique inherited characteristics

Organisms Classified Today Using: Structure Biochemistry Embryology Breeding Behavior Geographic Distribution Homologous parts DNA and proteins Embryos Courtship patterns Location (with reference to barriers)

5 Major Kingdoms: 1.Monera 2.Protista 3.Fungi 4.Plantae 5.Animalia 1 cell, prokaryotes 1/multicell, eukaryotes & algae Multicelled, decomposers Muticelled, autotrophs Muticelled heterotrophs

KINGDOM MONERA SEPARATED INTO TWO GROUPS –ARCHAEBACTERIA –EUBACTERIA TRUE BACTERIA ANCIENT BACTERIA

ARCHAEBACTERIA PROKARYOTIC UNICELLULAR HETEROTROPH / AUTOTROPHS –CHEMOSYNTHETIC – CHEMICALS TO MAKE NRG LIVES IN EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS –SWAMPS, HYDROTHERMAL VENTS MORE COMPLEX THAN EUBACTERIA CELL WALL SEVERAL HUNDRED SPECIES

ARCHAEBACTERIA VENT BACTERIASALT-LOVING BACTERIA

EUBACTERIA “TRUE BACTERIA” PROKARYOTIC UNICELLULAR HETEROTROPH STRONG CELL WALLS SOME CAUSE DISEASE, BUT MOST HARMLESS

EUBACTERIA

PROTISTA EUKARYOTES –NUCLEUS, MEMBRANE BOUND ORGANELLES UNICELLULAR, SOME MULTICELLULAR HETEROTROPHS & AUTOTROPHS MOST VARIED GROUP LACK ORGAN SYSTEMS MOIST ENVIRONMENTS

PROTISTA

EUKARYOTIC SOME UNICELLULAR, MOST MULTICELLULAR HETEROTROPHS –DECOMPOSERS (SAPROPHYTES) ABSORB FOOD THROGH CELL WALLS 100,000 DIFFERENT SPECIES

EUKARYOTIC MULTICELLULAR AUTOTROPHS DO NOT MOVE CELLS ORGANIZED INTO TISSUES, ORGANS AND SYSTEMS CELL WALLS – CELLULOSE 500,000+ SPECIES

EUKARYOTES MULTICELLULAR HETEROTROPHS NEARLY ALL MOVE NO CELL WALLS (MEMBRANE ONLY) CELLS ORGANIZED INTO TISSUES, ORGANS, SYSTEMS

Feline Family Members:

Genus: Panthera (Lions &Tigers)

Classification by characteristics: Fossil Skulls DNA Sequences Hair Samples Pictures Most Useful Least