Transcript Classification of Life

Classification of Life
Essential Question
• Explain how variations within a
population or species help
them survive by comparing
external features or behaviors
of organisms.
I. Grouping Organisms
• taxonomy - the field of biology that
identifies and classifies organisms
• taxonomists analyze shared
characteristics to determine
evolutionary relationships
I. Grouping Organisms
• biological classification systems
group the most closely related
organisms together
II. Carl Linneaus
• Classification used used today developed by Carl Linneaus (mid
1700’s)
• Linneaus’ system originally
included five levels of
classification ; modern scientists
have added two more
III.Classification System
1. Kingdom - (most general)
2. Phyla (sing: phylum)
3. Class
4. Order
5. Family
6. Genus
7. Species
(most specific)
IV.Uses of Classification
• Taxonomists
estimate
that
there are 1.5- 12 mill different
species on Earth today
• The variety in living things is
called biodiversity
V. Species
• Members of the same species
can interbreed and produce
fertile offspring