Classification of Living Things Outline
NAME ______Period______
Classification of Living Things Outline
Need for Classification
Living things have ______in common such as the functions or activities that are necessary to maintain life.
However, these functions and activities differ.
These differences indicate a great variety, called ______, among living things.
In order to study living things in an organized and efficient way, biologists find it necessary to ______ or group organisms in a logical way.
Basis for Classification
The most common basis for classifying organisms is ______.
Such as the exoskeleton, appendages, organs, or cellular structures (chloroplasts, nuclei).
Biochemical and genetic similarities, in patterns of embryological development, and fossil evidence are also used for ______.
Modern System of Classification
Our modern classification system assumes that present day forms of life developed from ______.
The ______ is the largest classification group.
Today, most biologists group organisms into a ______system:
Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plant, and Animal.
Classification Standards
•The five-kingdom system is based on the following ______:
- The presence or absence of a nuclear membrane within the cell.
- Whether the organism is unicellular (one-celled) or multicellular (many-celled).
- Type of nutrition.
Subdivisions of Kingdoms
The members of each kingdom share some major ______, but they are also ______.
Therefore, each kingdom is subdivided into ______and ______groups.
______– Includes all organisms of the same kind.
Carolus Linnaeus
A Swedish naturalist in the Mid 1700’s devised the most commonly used ______system.
This system separates ______into smaller and smaller subgroups based on similar ______.
Scientific Names
Common names are not used, ______is used for scientific naming because it is the universal language of science and it is accepted worldwide.
Binomial Nomenclature –
These names are written in italics.
The genus name is capitalized and the species name is not capitalized.
Homo sapiens………….
Canis familaris......
Classification of Living Things Outline– Teacher Guide (Key)
© Lisa Michalek
Classification of Living Things
Need for Classification
Living things have characteristics in common such as the functions or activities that are necessary to maintain life.
However, these functions and activities differ.
These differences indicate a great variety, called biodiversity, among living things.
In order to study living things in an organized and efficient way, biologists find it necessary to classify or group organisms in a logical way.
Basis for Classification
The most common basis for classifying organisms is similarities in structure.
Such as the exoskeleton, appendages, organs, or cellular structures (chloroplasts, nuclei).
Biochemical and genetic similarities, in patterns of embryological development, and fossil evidence are also used for classification.
Modern System of Classification
Our modern classification system assumes that present day forms of life developed from earlier forms.
The kingdom is the largest classification group.
Today, most biologists group organisms into a five-kingdom system:
Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plant, and Animal.
Subdivisions of Kingdoms
The members of each kingdom share some major characteristics, but they are also dissimilar.
Therefore, each kingdom is subdivided into smaller and smaller groups.
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species – Includes all organisms of the same kind.
Carolus Linnaeus
A Swedish naturalist in the Mid 1700’s devised the most commonly used classification system.
This system separates organisms into smaller and smaller subgroups based on similar characteristics.
Scientific Names
Common names are not used, Latin is used for scientific naming because it is the universal language of science and it is accepted worldwide.
Binomial Nomenclature – consist of a genus and species name for each organism.
These names are written in italics.
The genus name is capitalized and the species name is not capitalized.
Homo sapiens………….man
Canis familaris...... dog