USE OF DNA IN CLASSIFICATION

More similar the DNA or protein in two organisms, the

more related they are, and share a common ancestor.

DNA diagram

Classification means grouping things.

There are various groups into which living

organisms are put.

The largest classification group is the kingdom.
Each kingdom is further divided into smaller
groups called phyla, (singular: phylum).
A phylum is then subdivided into classes, orders,
families, genus, and finally species.
The smallest classification group is the species.

We define a species as organisms that share

many features and can interbreed to produce

fertile offspring.
There are five kingdoms:
1.Prokaryotes
2.Protoctists,
3.Fungi,
4.Plants and
5.Animals.

 Binomial-meaning two name)

It is defined an internationally agreed system of naming

BINOMIAL
OF
NAMING
organisms in whichSYSTEM
scientific name of
an organisms
is made
of two words showing the genus and species.
SPECIES

Equus grevyi

Equus burchelli

1.3 FEATURES OF ORGANISMS

FEATURES OF ORGANISMS
1. All living organisms are made of cells.
2. Each cell surrounded by a cell membrane
3. Within each cell is the jelly-like cytoplasm
4. Each cell also contains genetic material in the form of

DNA.
5. All cells need to make proteins; synthesis of protein is
carried out by particular structures in the cell called
Ribosomes.
6. There are a group of proteins called as enzymes.
Their role in the cell is to control reactions such as in
the process of respiration.

FEATURES OF PLANTS
Autotrophic
Have chloroplasts, hence chlorophyll
Have cell wall made of cellulose
Have a large permanent vacuole
Store carbohydrates as starch

Bacteria

They are micro organisms, that do not have

a true nucleus [prokaryotic]

DNA exists as a circular chromosome.
Small circular pieces of DNA called plasmids
are also present in cytoplasm.
They have cell walls containing murein
(peptidoglycon).

Some bacteria are surrounded by a sticky

capsule.
Some have a whip-like flagella or cilia, which
allow them to move.
Some bacteria can photosynthesize. Ex: Blue
green bacteria; others are decomposers,
break down nutrients by extra cellular
digestion.
Some can cause diseases, can decay food.
Others are useful in making yoghurt,in recycling of
nutrients, etc.

Protoctists:

These organisms are either uni or multicellular,

but all having a proper nucleus.

Algae : These are plant like organisms, have
chloroplasts in their cells and can
photosynthesize. Ex: Chlorella.
Some algae such as seaweeds are multicellular.
Protozoans: They are single celled animal- like
organisms, can ingest food particles and digest
them [ intra cellular digestion]. Ex: amoeba.

Fungi:

They are multi cellular organisms with one or

many nuclei. [Yeast is unicellular]

They have a cell wall made of chitin.
They have a simple body form which maybe
unicellular or made of long threads called
hyphae.
They branch and make a network of threads
called mycelium.

They do not photosynthesize as they do not

contain chlorophyll.
A fungus feeds heterotrophically on others
either saprophytically or parasitically on
organic material like faeces, human foods and
dead plants or animals, obtaining their food by
extra- cellular digestion.
Hyphae secrete enzymes and break down
complex nutrients into simpler products.
These are absorbed by diffusion / active
uptake.

Useful Fungi:
recycling and decaying process;
bread making [yeast]
production of antibiotic penicillin
as a source of food, mushroom.
They are also harmful and decay food, cause

diseases.

Viruses:

They are nonliving agents

They are smallest in size. They exist as parasites

and are mostly harmful

They do not have a true cellular structure,
consist of only a protein coat (capsid) enclosing a
strand of nucleic acid[DNA or RNA].
These are not a part of the living world as they do
not show any characteristic like respiration,
nutrition and reproduction except unless they
are inside the cells of other living organisms
[hosts].

Insects

Arachnids

Crustaceans

Myriapods