How living things are classified

							How living things are
     classified
  Why do scientists classify living
             things?
• Are classified into groups so the
  organisms are easier to study

• Taxonomy- how living things are
  classified
 Remember the shoe classification
             lab?
• How did you put your shoes into groups?

• Are classified based on characteristics

• These characteristics are narrowed down
  into sub-groups
Imagine a room filled with everyone
       who lives in the U.S
• How would you classify every person based on where
  they live?
• Same region
• Same state
• Same city/town
• Same neighborhood
• Same street

• Goes from very general to very specific
The more levels you share with someone, the more in
  common you have with them.
Levels of Classification for living organisms


                    Kingdom
                     Phylum
                     Class

                     Order
                      Family
                     Genus

                     Species

         Kevin’s Poor Cow Only Feels Good Sometimes
Using the Classification System
• Can use the classification system to
  identify life forms

• Taxonomic key- a series statements that
  describe the physical characteristics of
  different organisms
• http://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/
  dichoto.html
      Binomial Nomenclature
• When classifying living things, organisms
  are named with a two-part name
• (like your first and last name)

• This two part name is the organism’s
  scientific name
      Binomial Nomenclature
• First part:
• Genus- contains similar, closely related
  organims

  – Ex: pumas, ocelots, and house cats are all in
    the genus Felis
  – All of these animals share common
    characteristics
      Binomial Nomenclature
• When writing scientific names:

• Will always be in Latin (common
  language)
• Genus is always capitalized!!!
• Species is not capitalized!!
• Both words will be italicized (if possible)
      Binomial Nomenclature
• Second Part
• Species- a group of similar organisms that
  can mate and produce fertile offspring

• This system distinguishes all organisms
  from one another using the classification
  system
Let’s Practice!!!
Let’s Practice!