1. Classification / Taxonomy 02.25.2009
Taxonomy - method of classifying living things
Prokaryotes are single-celled organisms in which genetic material, or DNA, is not enclosed in a central cellular compartment called the nucleus. Bacteria and archaea are the only prokaryotes. All other life forms are Eukaryotes, creatures whose cells have nuclei. (Note: viruses are not considered true cells, so they don't fit into either of these categories.)

2. Domain
Biological Domains - the highest taxonomic rank of organisms. According to the three-domain system, all life fits into one of the following three domains:
Archaea - are single-celled creatures that join bacteria to make up a category of life called the Prokaryotes. Bacteria-like organisms that live in extreme environments
Bacteria - Microscopic and mostly unicellular, with a relatively simple cell structure lacking a cell nucleus, cytoskeleton, and organelles. Bacteria are the most abundant of all organisms.
Many believe that more complex cells developed as once free-living bacteria took up residence in other cells, eventually becoming the organelles in modern complex cells. The mitochondria (mite-oh-con-dree-uh) that make energy for your body cells is one example of such an organelle.
Eukarya - A group of organisms that that have a nucleus in each cell. Animals, plants, fungi, and protists are all eukaryotic organisms.

3. Kingdom
Biological Kingdom - a system of six classifications of living organisms:
Animalia – the animals - all multicellular organisms that have a central nervous system and need to consume other organisms for their energy.
Plantae – the plants - about 300,000 species of organism that all contain chlorophyll to obtain energy from the sun.
Fungi – the fungus - lacking chlorophyll and feeding on organic matter; including yeast, molds, smuts, mushrooms, and toadstools.
Protista – unicellular and have a true nucleus (eukaryotic). They may be heterotrophic or autothrophic (able to make their own food). They may also be motile or sessile (not free to move about).
Archaea – See Prior Slide
Bacteria – See Prior Slide

4. Phylum
Phylum - a primary or main division of a kingdom, composed of a group of related classes
Example: (within the Kingdom Animalia)
* Phylum Chordata – containing animals with nerve chords - this group includes the vertebrates

5. Class
category of the classification scheme of living organisms ranking below a phylum. (slightly more focused group of organisms within a phylum)
Example:
Kingdom - Anamalia
Phylum – Arthropod (invertebrate having jointed limbs and a segmented body with an exoskeleton made of chitin)
Class – Insecta

6. Order grouping of related / similar families
Example: warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings (Birds)

7. Family containing a group of related genera (groups of species).
Example: Homo habils, erectus, sapiens

8. Genus
somewhat similar organisms having one or more species which are structurally or physiologically related.
Most likely a direct result of speciation (divergence in an ancestral species)

9. Species
What’s you definition???