background on the classification system
Classification refers to how scientists categorize all the living and nonliving species on the planet. The species are grouped according to the characteristics that they share.
The earliest form of a classification system comes from the Greek philosopher Aristotle, who classified animals based on their means of transportation.
Our modern day classification system stems from the Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778). He adopted many conceptual ideas from scientists and philosophers past, and is best known for his convention of binomial nomenclature, and for introducing his system into a series of groups: genus, order, class.
The Linnaeus System: This system works by placing each organism into a classified hierarchy of groups. Each group at a given layer is composed of a set of groups from the layer below it.
The earliest form of a classification system comes from the Greek philosopher Aristotle, who classified animals based on their means of transportation.
Our modern day classification system stems from the Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778). He adopted many conceptual ideas from scientists and philosophers past, and is best known for his convention of binomial nomenclature, and for introducing his system into a series of groups: genus, order, class.
The Linnaeus System: This system works by placing each organism into a classified hierarchy of groups. Each group at a given layer is composed of a set of groups from the layer below it.
Classification is important because it allows scientists to identify, group and properly name organisms using the standardized Linnaeus system of taxonomy, to better study and understand organisms as a whole. The system provides a universal and standardized approach to naming and classifying organisms, because without it, they would be classified differently world wide which will create confusion. Ultimately, biologists classify organisms to better understand how all living things are interconnected.
Classification is important because it allows scientists to identify, group and properly name organisms using the standardized Linnaeus system of taxonomy, to better study and understand organisms as a whole. The system provides a universal and standardized approach to naming and classifying organisms, because without it, they would be classified differently world wide which will create confusion. Ultimately, biologists classify organisms to better understand how all living things are interconnected.
General guidelines AND RULES
Scientists classify organisms into a hierarchy of groups based on evolutionary relationships. The field of biology that identifies and classifies organisms is called taxonomy. Kingdoms are divided into categories called phyla, each phylum is divided into classes, each class into orders, each order into families, each family into genera, and each genera into species. A species represents one type of organism that belongs to specific categories in each of the six taxonomic groups.
Scientists name organisms using binomial nomenclature.
Naming Organisms: Genus name + species name (italicized or underlined)
Naming Organisms: Genus name + species name (italicized or underlined)
The groupings of taxonomy are:
- Kingdom: Is the highest taxonomic rank. It consists of six different categories. Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, Protista, Archaea and Bacteria.
- Phylum
- Class
- Order
- Family
- Genus
- Species