What is classification? Basically classification is a fancy word for organization.

Classification

Some Scientists believe there are as many as 200 million different kinds of living things on our planet. What would it be like if we did not organize all the living things on earth? We classify to find patterns, organize and give names to each organism.

Aristotle Aristotle was a Greek philosopher, he was the first to try and organize all of the living things into groups. He divided all living things into two groups, either plants or animals. Animals he further divided into three groups, depending on whether they could swim, fly or walk. His system was used until the 1600 s

Linnaeus A Swedish scientist that lived in the 1800 s He continued to use Aristotle s system of classification, but realized that there needed to be a system for naming organisms. Many people were using different names for the same plant or animal, so he came up with a 2 part system to name all organisms. It is called Binomial Nomenclature (Bi Two, Nomenclature - Name) Each organism was given a Genus and species, Genus is the family name and species the organisms name.

Mountain lion, cougar and puma are all names for the same animal. It s scientific name is Felis concolor.

Known as: Pill Bug, Rolly Polly, Potato Bug. It s Scientific name is Armadillium vulgare.

All Scientific Names must be either underlined or written in italics. The Genus is ALWAYS capitalized and the species is ALWAYS lowercase. Quercus gambelii (Scrub Oak), Canis familiaris (Dog), Homo sapiens (Human)

Domain The most broad system of classification is called a Domain. All living things are divided into 3 Domains, the system is based on the type of cell found in the organism Bacteria - single celled organisms that do not contain a nucleus. Archaea - Single celled organisms that do not contain a nucleus, but have a different cell wall from bacteria. Eukarya - Organisms with cells that have a nucleus.

All single celled Do not have a nucleus Reproduce by Mitosis Some are autotrophic (make their own food) and some are heterotrophic (eat other things for food) Prokaryote Bacteria

Archaea Often live in extreme environments, like: hot springs, hydrothermal vents and salty bodies of water Single celled, with no nucleus Some are autotrophic, some heterotrophic Prokaryote

Eukarya All have a membrane enclosed nucleus where they keep their DNA Made up of Plants, Fungi, Animals and Protists. Nearly all are multicellular

Classification Today We have different groups or levels of classification based on similar traits. The next broad group is a kingdom, the least broad is species. We have 6 different kingdoms. Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, Genus and species.

Kingdom Bacteria (Monera) Microorganisms which are: Typically onecelled Have no chlorophyll Multiply by simple division Can only be seen with a microscope

Kingdom Archaea (Monera) Microorganisms which are: One-celled Live in extreme conditions DNA signature differs Can only be seen with a microscope

Kingdom Protista (Protists) Mostly single celled, ALL have a nucleus Some autotrophic, some heterotrophic Kind of the group that didn t fit in anywhere else Ameoba, Diatoms, Euglena, paramecium and Algae

Diatom

Paramecium

Euglena

Algae

Kingdom Fungi Mostly multicelled (except yeast) Heterotrophs, that digest externally All have a nucleus and a cell wall (like plants) Cannot move on its own Most are poisonous

Amanita muscaria Fly-agaric Mushroom Tiger Death Cap

Kingdom Plantae (Plants) Multicellular, all have a nucleus and all have a cell wall ALL are autotrophic through photosynthesis Cannot move on their own Include mosses, ferns, plants and trees

Kingdom Animalia (Animals) All multi cellular with nucleus and no cell wall All heterotrophs Almost all can move Includes insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, ect. Further divided into vertebrates (have a backbone) and Invertebrates (no backbone)

Invertebrates

Invertebrate

Vertebrate