1. Classification of Life Understanding how our understanding of life allows scientists to develop an “order” to life

2. The Classifications  Domain  Kingdom  Phylum  Class  Order  Genius  Species

3. Domain  The simplest way to define life: 3 Levels  Bacteria Acraea Eukarya  Came from Scientists seeing that bacteria have two very different forms from DNA analysis  Domain Archae: DNA very different, in fact phosphorus has been replaced by Arsenic in some species  Domain Bacteria- similar DNA to most other forms of life (comprised of same basic 6 elements)  Domain Eukarya- All Eukaryote organisms (most multi- celled)

4. Kingdom  The Most Common way Scientist break down life based off of physical characteristics  Examples: Protista, Fungi, Animalia, Plantae

5. Phylum  The next basic way to define life.  For animals is based off of the presence of a Complex dorsal nervous system: Chrodata  Simple or ventral (belly based) nervous system (numerous Phylums, jellyfish, worms insects)

6. Class  Specific types of Life-forms  Class = Fish, Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves (Birds), Mammalia  Fish 3 classes;  Jawless Fish= Agnatha (7 gills no jaw)  Cartilage Fish= Chondricthyes (5 gills and jaw)  Boney Fish= Osteiicthyes (4 gills, jaw, gill cover and bone)

7. Order  Specific differences within a Class of organisms  Shark Orders  Carcharhiniformes hammerhead sharks Heterodontiformes bull head sharks Hexanchiformes “living fossil” sharks Lamniformes Great white sharks Orectolobiformes carpet/nurse sharks Pristiophoriformes sawtooth sharks Squaliformes dogfish sharks Squatiniformes angel/ray-like sharks Carcharhiniformes Heterodontiformes Hexanchiformes Lamniformes Orectolobiformes Pristiophoriformes Squaliformes Squatiniformes Carcharhiniformes Heterodontiformes Hexanchiformes Lamniformes Orectolobiformes Pristiophoriformes Squaliformes Squatiniformes

8. Family  More closely related organisms; share basic body shape and features  Ex Family Lamnidae: Great White Shark Family  These sharks have pointed snouts, streamlined- bodies, and gigantic gill openings. The first dorsal fin is large, high, stiff and angular or somewhat rounded. The second dorsal and anal fins are small. The teeth are gigantic. gill dorsal finanal finsgill dorsal finanal fins

9. Genus  Very closely related organisms, able to breed within this category but offspring would not be fertile.  Ex. (horse x donkey) = Mule  All mules are sterile unable to reproduce

10. Specie  An organism that is able to breed within itself and produce viable offspring  Has its own very unique and distinguishing features  Carcharodon carcharias = Great White Shark  Name literally means jagged teeth