Understanding Classification Systems

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Understanding Classification Systems
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Student Learning Objectives

1. As a result of this lesson students will
   understand the purpose for classifying living
   species.
2. As a result of this lesson students will learn
   how to utilize biological classification systems.

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What is biological classification and why do we
use it?

• Classification is the grouping of objects or
  information based on similarities.
• Taxonomy is the branch of biology that groups and
  names organisms based on studies of their
  different characteristics.
• Organizing helps you to understand better and
  easier (just like in real life ?)
• Classifications systems have been used for
  centuries, and have evolved dramatically from the
  beginning.

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• Aristotles Classification System
• Aristotle was a Greek philosopher developed the
  first accepted system of biological
  classification.
• He classified all organisms into two groups
  plants and animals.
• He subdivided plants into three groups herbs,
  trees, and shrubs depending on their size and
  structure of the plants.
• He divided animals according to where they spent
  a great deal of time on land, in air or water.
• What problems might exist for such a broad
  grouping?

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Linnaeuss Classification System

• In the late eighteenth century a Swedish
  botanist, Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778), developed
  a method of grouping organisms that was more
  useful than Aristotles.
• Linnaeuss system was based on physical and
  structural similarities of organisms. For
  example, he might use similarities in flower
  parts as a basis for classifying flowering
  plants.

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Modern Classification Systems use a two-word
naming system called binomial nomenclature

• In this system the first word identifies the
  genus of the organism, the second the species.
  The first word is always capitalized and the
  second is not, and is always found in italics.
  Homo sapiens, the name for humans, is an example.
  
• Binomial nomenclature is used today to give
  species their scientific names. Binomial
  nomenclature is very important in naming living
  species, because the language is always the same,
  regardless of the part of the world a person is
  in.
• This allows for scientists to have a common
  language to study these species.

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Memorize the following

• King
• Philip
• Cooks
• Onions
• For
• Guest
• Strangers

Why?
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• All species are classified according to
  biological classification systems that categorize
  organisms broad at first and then into increasing
  more detailed categories.
• If we use this saying, we can take the first
  letter of each word to remember the
  classification system for all living species.

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• King Philip Cooks Onions For Guest Strangers
• K stands for Kingdom
• P stands for Phylum
• C stands for Class
• O stands for Order
• F stands for Family
• G stands for Genus
• S stands for Species

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In conclusion

• Learning about each kingdom lets you know how
  life is organized and classified.
• Classification systems have gotten more complex
  over time.
• Every identified species can be classified
  according to biological classifciation!
• Try performing classifications on your own.