1. Taxonomy “The Study of Classification”

2. What do you think? What does classification mean?
Why is classification important?
When do we use classification systems in our everyday lives?
Books at the library, iPods and movies, even people!

3. Objectives Learn about the history of classification systems
Recognize Linnaeus’ contribution
Discuss classification keys and their usefulness
Study Phylogenic trees and Cladograms
Outline the 6 Kingdom system

4. What exactly is classification?
Classification is a branch of Biology called Taxonomy.
Taxonomy classifies based on similarities
…but it wasn’t always this way!

5. Meet Aristotle (350 BC)
Aristotle classified all living organisms as either a plant or an animal.
He further classified animals by where they lived, and plants by their size.

6. Aristotle’s Classification Scheme
ALL LIVING ORGANISMS
PLANTS
ANIMALS

7. PLANTS
SHORT (Herbs) MEDIUM (Shrubs) TALL (Trees)

8. ANIMALS
LAND WATER AIR

9. What are some problems with this classification system?
Some animals live in more than one habitat during their lives.
Most plants start small and grow larger.

10. These problems were recognized by Carolus Linnaeus
“The Father of Modern Taxonomy”

11. Carolus Linnaeus
Linnaeus was a Swedish botanist who lived in the 18th century.
He decided to classify organisms based on their visible similarities and differences in structure.

12. Carolus Linnaeus
Linnaeus made three huge contributions to modern taxonomy:
Using structural criteria for classification
Establishing the 7 taxa currently used.
Created the Binomial Nomenclature

13. The 7 Taxa Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species
Pneumonic Device:
King
Phillip
Came
Over
For
Ginger
Snaps
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Used in Scientific Names

14. 7 Taxa
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species

15. Did you notice?
As you go down through the 7 taxa, you get more and more details about the organism you are looking at.
Organisms get more and more similar from top to bottom.

16. Let’s Classify Us! Let’s classify a human: Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Family: Hominidae
Genus: Homo
Species: Sapiens

17. Binomial Nomenclature
Binomial nomenclature is a “two word” naming system.
The first term describes the organisms genus while the second term describes the species.

18. Genus and Species
Organisms placed in the same genus have similar structures (look the same).
Organisms with the same species name are so similar they would be able to reproduce under normal circumstances to produce fertile offspring.

19. Binomial Nomenclature
Scientific names are written in Latin and have something to do with the organisms characteristics or where they live. (Castor canadensis) (Ursus horribilus)
Scientific names are written in italics or underlined.
The first term is always capitalized while the second isn’t
Example: Homo sapiens  humans
Homo sapiens
H. sapiens

20. Examples of Scientific Names
Canis lupus  Wolf
Canis familiaris  Dog
These organisms are structurally similar (same genus) but different species (cannot reproduce under normal circumstances to produce fertile offspring)

21. Scientific Names Equus caballus - horse Equus asinus – donkey
When a donkey and a horse reproduce, their offspring is a mule, which is sterile.

22. Check out the Scientific Names