Classification

Why do we classify organisms?
My thoughts: Classifying the organisms helps us to identify the common characteristics between different species.
-Accurately and uniformly names the organisms
-Prevents misnomers such as starfish and jellyfish that aren't really fish
-Use same language (Latin or some Greek) for all names

How many known species are there?

-At least 13 billion! 

-And this is only 5% of all organisms that ever lived!!!

-New organisms are still being found and identified! :)

What is classification?

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

-Classification is also known as taxonomy.

-Taxonomists are scientists that identify and name organisms.

Early Taxonomists
-2000 years ago, Aristotle was the first taxonomist.
-Aristotle divided organisms into plants and animals.
-He subdivided them by their habitat

-John Ray, a botanist, was the first to use Latin for meaning
-His names were very long descriptions telling everything about the plant

Carolus Linnaues (16707 - 1778)

-18th century taxonomist

-Classified organisms by their structure

-Developed naming system still used today

-Called the "Father of Taxonomy"

-Developed the modern system of naming known as binomial nomenclature

-Two-word name (Genus and species)

Problems in classifying organisms...
-Species are always changing
-Inter-breeding

Standardized Naming...
-Binomial nomenclature used
-Genus species
-Latin or Greek
-Italicized in print
-CAPITALIZE Genus, but NOT species
-Underline when writing

Rules for Naming Organisms
-The International Code of Binomial Nomenclature contains the rules for naming organisms
-All names must be approved by the International Naming Congresses (International Zoological Congress)
-This prevents duplicated names

Classification Groups
>>Taxon (taxa-plural) is a category into which related organisms are placed
>>There is a hierarchy of groups (taxa) from broadest to most specific
>>Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, species

Domains
>>Broadest, most inclusive taxon
>>Three domains
>>Archaea and Eubacteria are unicellular prokaryotes (no nucleus or membrane-bound organelles).
>>Eukarya are more complex and have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelle.


Taxons
Most genera contain a number of similar species, with the exception of Homo that only contains modern humans
Each successive classification category or taxon contains more different types of organisms than the preceding category.

One way to remember the Classification groups... :)
King - Kingdom
Philip - Phylum
Came - Class
Over - Order
For - Family
Gooseberry - Genus
Soup - Species