1. CLASSIFICATION
Chapter 17

2. What is Classification??
Classification is the arrangement of organisms into orderly groups based on their similarities.
Classification is also known as taxonomy.
A person who identifies and names organisms is known as a Taxonomist.

3. Why do we Classify Organisms?
To have accurate and universal names for organisms (regardless of what language you speak).
Prevents the mis-naming of organisms (such as starfish and jelly fish which are not really fish!!

4. History of Classification - Boring old people, yeah!!
Aristotle was the first official taxonomist 2000 years ago.
He divided organisms into two categories - plants and animals
He then subdivided them based on their habitat (land, sea, air),
And by their morphology (the way they look).

5. Problems with Aristotle's System
Species are not unchanging
Did not account for evolutionary relationships among organisms
Some organisms did not fit easily
Frogs live on land and in water

6. Carolus Linnaeus 18th century taxonomist
Called the “Father of Taxonomy”
Based his classification system on observable characteristics.
Developed binomial nomenclature.

7. Binomial Nomenclature
Two-Part naming system.
First part Genus
Second part species
It is always in Latin
Capitalize Genus but NOT species
Italicize when typing; underline when writing.

8. Today’s Classification System
Still uses all the things Aristotle and Linnaeus brought to the table.
In addition, we now know about DNA!
DNA allows us to examine how closely related organisms are to one another.

9. Taxonomic Categories
Taxon (plural = taxa) is a category into which related organisms are placed.
There is a hierarchy of 8 groups (taxa) from broadest to most specific.
Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species

11. How to remember the order of the Taxa!
Dear
King
Phillip
Came
Over
For
Good
Soup!

12. Turn to page 489!
ACTIVITY: Classify a giant panda, Ailuropoda melanoleuca, completely from domain to species level by referring to Figure 17.4.

13. Answer to Activity:
Eukarya, Animalia, Chordata, Mammalia, Carnivora, Ursidae, Ailuropoda, melanoleuca