Biological Diversity

Classification is the grouping of living organisms according to similar structures and functions

Classification

Aristotle grouped animals according to the way they moved

Today’s system developed by Carolus Linnaeus Organization of Biological Diversity:

◦ Domain (often not even used)◦ Kingdom◦ Phylum◦ Class◦ Order◦ Family◦ Genus◦ Species

History of Classification

A taxonomic category that is based on fundamental differences among organisms

Three main domains:◦ Bacteria◦ Archaea◦ Eukarya

Domain

Taxonomic category made up of related phyla

Six kingdoms currently recognized for living organisms◦ Bacteria◦ Archaea◦ Protista◦ Plantae◦ Animalia◦ Fungi

Kingdom

Prokaryotes (lack nucleus) Unicellular (one cell) Heterotrophic (most)-eat other organisms for

energy All bacteria are in the same domain and kingdom,

which is not true for a lot of organisms! Examples: E. Coli, Streptococcus

Bacteria

Prokaryotes Unicellular Live in extreme environments Ex: Sulfolobus acidocaldarius(grow in

volcanos), Methanogens (produce methane)

Archaea

Eukaryotes (contain nuclei) Multicellular (multiple cells making up

organism) Four kingdoms in this domain

◦ Protista◦ Animalia◦ Fungi◦ Plantae

Eukarya

Mainly unicellular Heterotrophic or Photosynthetic (use light

as energy) Ex: Protozoa, slime molds

Protista

Heterotrophic Contain a nervous system Ex: Us!!, Fish, Bats, Snakes (lots of

examples!)

Animalia

Heterotrophic Absorb nutrients Contain cell walls of chitin (distinguishes

them from plants!) Ex: mushrooms, truffles

“The latest auction was for two truffles weighing just under 3 lbs total. $330,000 was paid for the fungal delicacy.”

Fungi

Photosynthetic Cell walls made with cellulose Ex: Trees, Mosses, Ferns

Plantae

Now that we know how living organisms are organized, let’s look at the differences in the microscope!

While looking at the samples, I would like you to note:◦ Differences between organisms/cells in different

kingdoms◦ Differences in organisms/cells in similar kingdoms◦ Common features in plant slides

This Kingdom will be our focus for this class!