What is classification?

There are 13 billion known species of organisms. This is only 5% of all organisms that have ever lived!! New organisms are still being found and identified!

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​Classification is the arrangement of organisms into orderly groups based on their similarities.

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Classification is also known as taxonomy. ​

Early Thoughts

Aristotle

2000 years ago, Aristotle was the first taxonomist. He divided organisms into plants and animals. He then subdivided them by their habitat (land, sea, or air dweller).

Today's Taxonomy

​Carl Linnaeus

​an 18th century taxonomist, classified organisms by their structure. He developed the naming system still used today!

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He is called the "Father of Taxonomy" and developed the modern system of naming known as binomial nomenclature (two word name - genus and species).

Taxonomic Groups​ ("taxa")

​There is a hierarchy of groups (taxa) from the broadest to the most specific.

Domains

This is the broadest and most inclusive taxon.

​There are three domains:

1. Archaea

2. Eubacteria

3. Eukarya​

They are both opossum!

​Australian

American​

1. Genus name before species​ name.

2. Italicize name

3. Capitalize genus name

How to write a scientific name?

Organisms are given scientific names to prevent confusion in the scientific community.

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Scientists use a system called binomial nomenclature. ​

Scientific Names