1. CLASSIFYING ANIMALS OCS Biology

2. Classifying Animals Biologists divide animals into groups based on their similarities. Biologists divide animals into groups based on their similarities. The science of classifying organisms is called taxonomy. The science of classifying organisms is called taxonomy. Biologists use the similar features of organisms to determine how the organisms are related. Biologists use the similar features of organisms to determine how the organisms are related.

3. The Seven Levels of Classification There are seven levels of classification: There are seven levels of classification: 1. Kingdom 1. Kingdom 2. Phylum 2. Phylum 3. Class 3. Class 4. Order 4. Order 5. Family 5. Family 6. Genus 6. Genus 7. Species 7. Species

4. Classification Every organism that has been identified has its own place in the classification system. Every organism that has been identified has its own place in the classification system. Some classification groups contain a large number of species. Other orders may have just a few. Some classification groups contain a large number of species. Other orders may have just a few.

5. Scientific Names Biologists have given each species a scientific name. Biologists have given each species a scientific name. The name consists of two (2) words: The name consists of two (2) words: 1. The first word is the organism’s genus. 1. The first word is the organism’s genus. 2. The second word is the species label. 2. The second word is the species label. The scientific name given to each species is unique. The scientific name given to each species is unique. The scientific name is Latin so biologists around the world recognize it. The scientific name is Latin so biologists around the world recognize it.

6. Scientific Names The first word in the scientific name is capitalized; the second word is not. The first word in the scientific name is capitalized; the second word is not. The scientific name is always in italics or is underlined. The scientific name is always in italics or is underlined.

7. An Example: Classification of the African Elephant 1. Kingdom: Animalia 2. Phylum: Chordata 3. Class: Mammalia 4. Order: Proboscidea 5. Family: Elephantidae 6. *Genus: Loxodenta 7. *Species: africana

8. Scientific Name of The African Elephant The scientific name for the African Elephant is Loxodonta africana. The scientific name for the African Elephant is Loxodonta africana. This is the combined Genus (Loxodonta) This is the combined Genus (Loxodonta) and Species (africana). and Species (africana).