CLASSIFICATION CHEAT SHEET

Domain refers to cell type:

Eukaryotic cells those with a nucleus and other membrane-bound
organelles (all plant and animal cells)
Prokaryotes no nucleus, or membrane-bound organelles (bacteria)
Archea also prokaryote but not bacteria
Kingdom In the domain Eukaryota
Animals, plant, fungus, protista, monera
Phylum
vertebrate (chordate) having a backbone,
o mammals, fish, birds, reptiles
invertebrate (non-chordate) no backbone
o Insects, shellfish
Class major classes of vertebrates:
Mammals
Reptiles
Birds
Fish
Order - Includes structurally and genetically similar organism within each
class
Family smaller grouping of similar animals by structure, DNA and life style
Genus smallest group of similar animals by structure, DNA and life style
Species identifies a specific animal
Binomial (Scientific) naming system: Each organisms scientific name is
made up of its genus and species name:
Canus lupus = wolf canus is the genus and lups the species name.
Always italicized. Genus name capitalized, species name not
Each level contains all of the levels below it in its grouping:
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Privates

SO
The kingdom of animals includes ALL vertebrates, mammals,
bear, etc.
The class Mammal, however does not include ALL animals

Clean
Or
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Getting
Sex

As you go down the list, the diversity of organisms included in

each category is smaller.
The most diverse level is kingdom
The least diverse level is genus
o Class includes a greater diversity of animals than
family
Organisms in any genus will be more similar to each other
than the other animals in their same family, or animals from
other families

A CLADOGRAM is used to show relationships between animals

Here we see 5 animals all related at the
level of order they are all in the order
carnivora.
Within this order 3 families are identified.
Each branch shows closeness of
relationships:
Felidae (cats)
Mustelidae (weasels and skunks)
Canidae (dogs)
Within each family are different species
Mustelidae shows 2 genuses
Skunks and weasels are more closely
related to each other than either is to the
wolf
Homologous structures are those physical features that are similar between
different classes and/or families of animals, but show great similarities
like the forelimb of the cat, human, batwing and whale flipper.
Homologous structures are evidence of common ancestry.
Analogous structures are those that are similar in function but show no
evidence of common ancestry due to great differences in structure.
The bird, bat and insect wing are analogous structures
o they are functionally the same, but they are built very differently.