Taxonomy

TAXONOMYBy: Asiah Edwards

TAXONOMY• The science of classification• Kingdom, Phylum: Subphylum, Superclass, Class: Subclass, Superorder,

Order: Suborder, Superfamily, Family: Subfamily, Genesis: Subgenus, Species: Subspecies.

BINOMIAL NOMENCLATURE• The two name system for identifying organisms developed by C.

Linnaeus.• The binomial nomenclature for humans is Homo sapiens.

COMMON NAMES • Terms that differ in different regions and can add to confusion when trying

to identify organisms.• Blue Crab

KINGDOM• Kingdom is a taxonomic rank that is composed of smaller groups called

phyla or divisions for plants. Considered the highest rank in Taxonomy.• Kingdom Monera, Kingdom Protista, Kingdom Fungi, Kingdom Plantae,

and Kingdom Animalia.

PHYLUM• The primary subdivision of a taxonomic kingdom, grouping together all

classes of organisms that have the same body plan.• An example would be the phylum Arthropods also known as insects.

CLASS• The usual major subdivision of a phylum or division in the classification of

organisms, usually consisting of several orders.• An example of class would be Mammalia.

ORDER• A taxonomic rank used in classifying organisms, generally below the

class, and comprised of families sharing a set of similar nature or character.

• The horse, rhinoceros, and tapir families are grouped in the order Perissodactyla.

FAMILY• A taxonomic rank in the classification of organisms between genus and

order.• Hummingbirds are usually grouped in the family Trochilidae.

GENUS• A taxonomic rank that includes group(s) of species that are structurally

similar or phylogenetically related.• Homo is the genus for humans.

SPECIES• The lowest taxonomic rank and the most basic unit or category of

biological classification.• sapiens is the species classification for humans.

SCIENTIFIC NAME• The Genus and species name assigned to one organism; usually Latin.• The scientific name for the black footed ferret is Mustela nigripes.

ARISTOTLE• Greek philosopher who developed a crude classification that separated

organisms based on where they lived. • Aristotle created the first classification system over 2000 years ago

LINNAEUS• Scientist who developed the system of classification still in use today

using seven taxons and binomial nomenclature.• Linnaeus was the one who thought to use binomial names putting the

genus first and the species last.

EVOLUTIONARY CLASSIFICATION• Scientists determine an organisms evolutionary history by looking at gene

sequence similarities in its DNA and RNA as well as looking at its physical characteristics.

• The eagle and the crane are related to the Archaeopteryx.

DNA/RNA• Nucleic acids in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells that controls growth,

development and maintenance of organisms; comparisons of DNA and RNA are used to determine how closely related organisms are.

• Your DNA helps to give you certain traits like black hair or green eyes.

CLADOGRAM• A diagram developed to show evolutionary relationships based on derived

characteristics.

CLADISTIC ANALYSIS• Scientists determine an organisms evolutionary history by looking at gene

sequence similarities in its DNA and RNA as well as looking at its physical characteristics.

MOLECULAR CLOCK• DNA comparisons in 2 species can compare how dissimilar the genes are;

This dissimilarity indicates how long the 2 species shared a common ancestor.

NEUTRAL MUTATIONS• Unpredictable changes in DNA that produce variations that have no

apparent affect on the success or fitness of an organism.

DERIVED CHARACTERS• Changes that develop in organisms that are different from their

ancestors.• Using your right hand when you’re left handed.

ARCHAEA• Prokaryotic Archaeabacteria that can survive unusually harsh

environments.

BACTERIA• Prokaryotic Eubacteria such as streptococci and E.coli.

EUKARYA• Includes 4 kingdoms of eukaryotic organisms: Protist, Fungi, Plantae, and

Animalia.

ARCHAEBACTERIA• Ancient forms of bacteria that survive extreme heat, acidity, or salinity or

even methane.• The  crenarchaeota is a type of Archaebacteria.

EUBACTERIA• Slightly more advanced bacteria found in three common shapes: bacilli,

cocci, and spirilla; range from mutualistic and beneficial forms to extremely deadly parasitic forms.

PROTISTA• Mostly unicellular either photosynthetic or heterotrophic organisms.

FUNGI• Mostly multicellular heterotrophic plant-like organisms with cell walls

made out of chitin

PLANTAE• Multicellular autotrophic plants with cellulose cell walls.

ANIMALIA• Multicellular heterotrophic organism having no cell wall and most with

some form of sensory/nerve conduction.