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Taxonomy

Taxonomy = categorizing organisms due to their similarities in DNA and structure.

7 levels that go from the largest (most inclusive to species, most exclusive). You can remember the levels through pneumonics (one below or your own).

Scientists research the following to place organisms into taxonomic groups:
  • similarities in DNA sequences show similarities in ancestry
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  • study morphological features (external characteristics) of different organisms and compare structures
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  • homologous structures; ex. limb bones of humans and dogs (both have same bones)
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  • fossil evidence and the changing of organisms over time shown in the fossils. Carbon-14 dating and other methods help to date fossils.
  • embryonic structure is similar for many organisms; many organisms develop a tail and gill slits early in life including humans.
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    Level of Classification Definition Pneumonic
    Kingdom Group of phylums Katie
    Phylum Group of classes Poured
    Class Group of orders Coffee
    Order Group of families On
    Family Group of genuses Frankie's
    Genus Group of species Green
    Species orgnanisms that can breed and reproduce with one another. Shirt

     

    classification of humans
    Kingdom Animalia
    Phylum Chordata
    Class Mammalia
    Order Primates
    Family Hominoidea
    Genus Homo
    Species sapiens

    Binomial nomenclature = the scientific name, which is the genus and species name of an organism written a certain way. The genus is upper case and the species is a lowercase letter. Both of these words are underlined or italicized.

    Ex. The scientific name for humans is Homo sapiens or Homo sapiens. (Genus capitalized and species lowercase)

    Ex.2. The scientific name for cat is Felix domestica or Felix domestica.