Classification
Levels of Taxonomy
Domain- A more inclusive category than any other. It is larger than a kingdom.
Kingdom- A group of closely related phylums.
Phylum- A group of closely related classes.
Class- A group of closely related orders.
Order- A group of closely related families.
Family- A group of closely related genuses.
Genus- A group of closely related species.
Species- A more specific category than any other. It is smaller than a genus.
Kingdom- A group of closely related phylums.
Phylum- A group of closely related classes.
Class- A group of closely related orders.
Order- A group of closely related families.
Family- A group of closely related genuses.
Genus- A group of closely related species.
Species- A more specific category than any other. It is smaller than a genus.
Linnaeus
Linnause developed the two part naming system known as binomial nomenclature and the system of classification we use today. However, he classified all living things as plants or animals.
Aristotle
Aristotle developed a different classification system based on specific traits. A major trait he broke into categories for classification is where animals and plants are located. This means they could either be classified by air, land, and water. The problem with this is that certain animals can move from one to the other like a frog lives on water and land. Also, animals like birds can be air related, but not all birds can fly.
Taxonomy
Taxonomy- The discipline of classifying organisms and assigning each organism a universally accepted name.
6 Kingdoms
Kingdoms
Archaebacteria- Members of this kingdom are unicellular prokaryotes that live in extreme environments like volcanic hot springs, brine pools, and black organic mud totally devoid of mud.
Eubacteria- Members of this kingdom are unicellular prokaryotes that are ecologically diverse, ranging from free-living soil organisms to deadly parasites. Some photosynthesis, while others do not.
Protista- This kingdom of organisms cannot be classified as animals, plants, or fungi. They can be unicellular or multicellular, photosynthetic or heterotrophic. Some of these organisms share characteristics with plants, others with fungi, and others with animals.
Fungi- Members of this kingdom are heterotrophs. They feed on dead or decaying matter or secrete digestive enzymes into their food source. Some are unicellular while others are multicellular.
Plantae- Members of this kingdom are multicellular. There are photosynthetic autotrophs. These organisms have cell walls made of cellulose.
Animalia- Members of this kingdom are multicellular and heterotrophs. These organisms DO NOT have cell walls.