L.

Rayner
 Classification is a system of sorting and
grouping organisms
Organisms are classified because:
WHAT It is a way of organising
DOES IT information
MEAN TO Allows us to observe
CLASSIFY evolutionary trends, patterns
? and relationships (Common
ancestors)
Ease of communication
New species or extinct species
found are easily identified
Helps to develop successful
means of controlling pests and
disease
Helps to develop conservation
strategies for endangered
 Classification of organisms is
done for several reasons.
1. The diversity of life on Earth is
vast, so classifying organisms
Why do is a way of organising
we information. It allows for
classify patterns and trends to be
observed and relationships
organis between organisms better
ms? understood.
2. It allows biologists to analyse
information about organisms.
3. It allows biologists to
communicate with one
LEVELS OF CLASSIFICATION

Figure 2.2
The hierarchy of the taxa. Each taxonomic level can be divided into multiple groups in
LEVELS OF CLASSIFICATION

Figure 2.3 The initial divisions of life: the domains and

kingdoms
LEVELS OF CLASSIFICATION

Naming All organisms have a

organis binomial (scientific) name.
ms: the Binomial names consist of
binomial two parts.
system 1. Genus
2. Specific to the species
Example: Golden Wattle has the
name Acacia (genus) pycnantha
(species).
The name for humans, Homo
sapiens, comes from the Latin
CLASSIFICATION IS BASED ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF ORGANISMS

Classification never stops.

Based on Taxonomist opinions differ
characterist and some will lump species
ics
together and
others will reclassify a
species to split it into new
species.

At the same time, new

species are regularly being
discovered.
CLASSIFICATION IS BASED ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF ORGANISMS

1. Physical
Classificati characteristics
on based 2. Reproductive
on Physical methods
characteris 3. Molecular sequences
tics and
reproductiv
e methods

Figure 2.5 A kangaroo suckling her joey. Like all other

mammals,
CLASSIFICATION IS BASED ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF ORGANISMS

Classification based on
molecular structure
Table 2.1 The first 3840 amino acids in the protein cytochrome
c
COME UP WITH
AN ACRONYM
TO HELP YOU
REMEMBER
THE TAXA
 KINGDOMS Organisms are further divided into
kingdoms
Kingdoms are mainly organised
due to cellular differences.
Animalia
All multicellular animals, no cell wall or
chloroplasts.
Complete Act 168, 170 Fungi
Have cell walls made of chitin, no
chloroplasts.
Plantae
Cell walls containing cellulose and use
chloroplasts to obtain energy.
Protista
Mostly single celled and live in aqueous
environments
Archaea (Monera)
 A kingdom contains one or
more phylum
Classification based
PHYLU similarities in basic body
M plan or organisation. Eg.
Arthropoda
Also known as divisions in
the plantae kingdom
Phylum can also be divided
into subphylum
The following website shows
the phylum groupings: http://
www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ec
ology/classification_group_ex
pla.htm
Complete Act 169
 Class is a classification of
organisms that contain
general common traits,
CLASS such as having a backbone
or eight legs
Class Mammalia includes all
mammals which are bats,
rodents, kangaroos, whales,
great apes and man.
Class Mammalia is sub divided
into 3 subclasses:
Monotremes
Marsupials
Placentals
 In order, animals are
ORDER generally classified in
broad types such as
carnivore, herbivore,
primates, etc.
Family Felidae are included
in the order Carnivora.
 Family, then, designates
FAMILY a category of
classification that is
fairly precise. For
example, Family would
include categories such as
apes and lemurs
For example, cats and
leopard are included in the
family Felidae.
 It is generally
GENUS considered to be a
grouping of similar
species.
For example lion, tiger
are quite similar species
placed under the genus
Panthera.
 A species is a group of organisms
SPECIE that can both interbreed and
produce fertile offspring in their
S natural environment, but cannot
breed with members of another
species.(But in all cases some
exceptions are found)
Species is followed by subspecies,
varieties and races. These categories are
inferior as compared to species.
Issues that arise in classifying species
include:
Ring species
Clines
Hybrids
Cross breeding
Collaborations between species (lichens)
 Taxonomy of
WHER Humans:
E DO Kingdom:
Animalia
WE FIT Phylum:
IN?
Complete Act Chordata
171, 172, 173,
174
Class:
Mammalia
Order: Primates
Family:
Hominidae
Genus: Homo
Species:
sapiens
 Viruses do not belong to any
LIMITATIONS kingdom
Ongoing debate whether
viruses are alive or not
Not made of cells
Have no ribosomes to make
protein
Have no cytoplasm
Cannot aquire energy
Cannot grow or reproduce by
themselves or with other
viruses
Do not respond to stimuli
Cannot maintain a stable
CLASSIFICATION IS BASED ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF ORGANISMS

Classificati
on keys
Dichotomous keys are tools used
to identify organisms.

They involve choosing between a

series of two options until an
organism is identified.
CLASSIFICATION IS BASED ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF ORGANISMS

Dichotomous Key - branching ke

Figure 2.9
A dichotomous key
for
identifying the class
CLASSIFICATION IS BASED ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF ORGANISMS

Dichotomous key - Sentence Key

Often it is more practical to present keys as a list of
alternatives.
CLASSIFICATION IS BASED ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF ORGANISMS

Learning check
Can you use the key on page 23 in your Nelson
Book to identify the phylum of the snail?
Figure 2.8
This species of sea snail
is commonly found in
Australian waters.
How would you identify
it?
CLASSIFICATION IS BASED ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF ORGANISMS

Learning check
Make your own key. Complete the worksheet
and create your own Dichotomous Branching
and Sentence Key

RULES
1. Must have a title
2. Only use structural characteristics
3. Only two alternative options for each
branch/sentence
4. Each branch will end in an organism
5. Each branch/sentence must be numbered
CLASSIFICATION REFLECTS EVOLUTIONARY RELATIONSHIPS

DNA technology provides new

The
and highly detailed information
impact of about evolutionary relationships.
new Supports previous
technolog classification or reclassifies of
ies on organisms
taxonomy Provides clarity as to when
certain groups evolved
Allows classification down to
many more levels than the
traditionally recognised taxa;
i.e. prefixes super- (above) and
sub- (below) - additional ranks