Classification of Living Things

Biology 11Ms. Lowrie

#1 – Most Discoveries … Why?

Areas that are difficult to access Rainforest Deep ocean

Only 3% explored

#2 – Classification vs. Taxonomy

Classification Act of grouping organism

Taxonomy Science of classifying organisms

#3(a) – Early Taxonomist

Aristotle 384 – 322 BC Greek philosopher

Classified organisms based on observations Sponge:

plant or animal?

#3(b) – Aristotle

Arranged organisms based on: Plant

Grass(small), bush(medium) or tree(big) Animal:

Earth, water or air

Problems: Seagull? Bacteria?

#3(c) – “Scala Naturae”

“Ladder of Nature”

All creatures are arranged in a hierarchy of complexity Humans at top rung

Then Now

#4 – Modern Taxonomy

a) Carolus Linnaeus 1707 – 1778 Swedish botanist

b) Organisms grouped based on physical characteristics Hierarchical

#4(c) – Natural Classification

Closer related organisms will have more features in common

#5 – Levels of Taxa

a) First = Kingdom General

b) Last = Species Specific

Ex: leopard

Taxa Analogy: Where do you live?

Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species

Continent Country Province County City Street Number

General

Specific

How to Remember the 7 Taxa

7 taxa:

kingdom, phylum, class, order, family,

genus, species

King Philip came over for grape soda

#6 – Binomial Nomenclature

Scientific names Latin

Made of two words:1. Genus

2. species Underline if written (not typed)

Sugar maple Acer saccharum

#7 – Latin Advantage

Avoids confusion When speaking different languages

#7 – Latin Advantage

Avoids confusion When speaking different languages

#7 – Latin Advantage

Avoids confusion With multiple common names

What is a …? Mountain lion Cougar Puma Screaming wildcat

All the same! Puma concolor

(Felis …)

#7 – Latin Advantage

Avoids confusion When common names are misleading

Jellyfish is NOT a fish!

Any questions???

Task

Use notes & pages 326 – 331

Answer: Practice Questions: # 1 to 5 (pg 331)

#1 select one example in school and one outside

Section Questions: # 1, 2, 5, 6 (pg 334)

Question #5 – Page 334

a) Which of the species are most closely related? Explain.

b) Is the river otter more closely related to the muskrat or weasel? Why?

c) Is the groundhog more closely related to the chipmunk or ferret? Why?

d) Which of the species is (are) the closest relative(s) of the squirrel? Explain.

Question #6 – Page 334

a) Felis concolor mountain lion (vii)

b) Sorex arcticus arctic shrew (i)

c) Canis rufus red wolf (iv)

d) Mephitis mephitis skunk (iii)

e) Alopex lagopus arctic fox (vi)

f) Eutamias alpinusalpine chipmunk (v)g) Sciurus arizonensis Arizona gray squirrel

(viii)

h) Sylvilagus aquaticus swamp rabbit (ii)