1. 6 methods that are utilized to classify organisms. Evidence from the Fossil Record –Often Fossils can be found that illustrate a "Transition" from one species to another. When such Transitions are made it suggests commonalities between modern species. Archaeopteryx when it was discovered suggested a link between birds and reptiles. Anatomical Evidence –Organisms that are anatomically similar are likely to be related. The presence of Homologous structures would suggest a reason to group organisms together. The more similar species are to one another the stronger the case for grouping them together. Embryological Similarity –As with the Anatomical Similarities the more similar the organisms are during the embryological stage the stronger the case for grouping them together.

2. Biochemical Similarity –Again the more similar the Biochemical makeup of the Species the stronger the case for grouping them together DNA Evidence –Once more a comparison of the DNA can be used to classify organisms. The closer the DNA the closer the relation and again the stronger the case for a similar grouping.

3. Modern Developments The approach Linnaeus took to classifying species and the majority of his taxonomic groupings remained the standard in biology for at least two centuries. Since the 1960s, however, a trend called cladism or cladistic taxonomy, has emerged and is expected to usurp Linnaean classification.cladism In classifying species, cladists place a priority in achieving unity with the Darwinian principle of common descent.common descent In essence this method seeks to establish common evolutionary patterns and group those that have a common "ancestry" together. This establishment of Phylogentic Relationships can be said to be the 6th means for classification.

4. Cladistics In grouping species, cladists look for "procured similarities," meaning those aspects that species can be expected to share by possessing a common ancestor. This approach differs from that of phenetics, which does not address ancestry and associates species based on overall similarity. It also differs also from classification based on ad hoc "key characters." Cladists avail themselves of all the types of evidence available, including DNA sequences and hybridization studies, biochemistry, and traditional morphology.DNA sequenceshybridization morphology They often make use of computerized algorithms and mathematical formulae to identify the most likely phylogeny or "family tree" that relates the species they are considering. phylogeny

5. The science of classification has grown as knowledge and technology have grown. One leading to the other. We now know far more than Aristotle, Linnaeus, and other great Biologists of the past could have hoped to know. Projecting into the future our descendents will view our knowledge base as we view theirs. Good for their time but insufficient for ours!

6. As presented in the text Biologists by in large have adopted a 6 Kingdom System of classification. The reasons for this can be distilled into an examination of the members of the former Kingdom Monera (under the 5 Kingdom System) Within that group it was realized that there are distinct differences between those that are known as the Archae Bacteria and the remaining members. For this reason the creation of a 6 Kingdom arrangement was made. This takes into account the unique differences and satisfies the deficiencies that the 5 Kingdom system held.

7. BacteriaArchaeaEukarya BacteriaArchaeaProtistaPlantaeFungiAnamalia MoneraProtistaPlantaeFungiAnamalia

8. Your Turn Read pgs. 122 - 126 Page 127 Questions 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9