Classification

Monday, April 4th

Study Pack #4

Today’s Goals…

I can explain what classification is.I can explain how and why scientists

classify living things.I can identify organisms using

dichotomous keys.

Classification

Imagine a grocery store…How are they organized? What would happen if they were not

organized?

How are other things in your life organized?

Classification

Imagine all the different kinds of organisms on Earth from bacteria to plants to animals…

Scientists need a way to keep them all organized so that they are easier to study!

Classification is the process of grouping things based on their similarities

Classification

Taxonomy is the scientific study of how living things are classified.

Classification is useful because it helps scientists:

Know more about the characteristics of organisms

Understand relationships between organisms

Identify unknown organisms

Levels of Classification

Organisms are classified into groups called KingdomsExample: Plant, Animal

Then they are classified into even smaller groups

There are seven levels of classification

Levels of Classification

Kingdom broadest level

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species most specific level

Levels of Classification

Remember this phrase:King Phillip Came Over For

Good Soup

Scientific Names

Organisms are given scientific names based on a system called Binomial NomenclatureOrganisms are given 2 names

Latin words

Genus + Species

Genus is capitalized; species is not

Words are italicized

Example: Homo sapiens (humans); Felis concolor (mountain lion)

Try it….

Let’s create a classification system for your clothes!

Now create a classification system for the animals below: Bamboo shark

Robin

Horse

Rattlesnake

Using the Classification System

Field guides help identify organisms.they highlight differences between

similar organisms (like trees)

Taxonomic Key (AKA Dichotomous Key)paired statements that describe the

physical characteristics of different organisms

Using the Classification System

How to use a taxonomic/dichotomous keyStart by reading the first two

statements (1a and 1b)The two statements are oppositesDecide which statement appliesFollow the direction at the end of the

statementContinue this process until you have

learned the organism’s identity!

Dichotomous Key

1. Fruits occur singly ....................................................... Go to 3 1' Fruits occur in clusters of two or more ......................... Go to 2 2. Fruits are round ....................................................... Grapes 2' Fruits are elongate ................................................... Bananas 3. Thick skin that separates easily from flesh .............Oranges 3' Thin skin that adheres to flesh .............................. Go to 4 4. More than one seed per fruit ............................ Apples 4' One seed per fruit ............................................ Go to 5 5. Skin covered with velvety hairs .................... Peaches 5' Skin smooth, without hairs ........................... Plums

Dichotomous Key

1a. Organism has 4 legs Go to # 2

1b. Organism has more than 4 legs Go to # 20

2a. Organism has a tail Go to # 3

2b. Organism has no tail Go to # 35

3a. Organism has stripes Bengal Tiger

3b. Organism has no stripes African Lion

Dichotomous Key Try this one:

1a. Organism walks on all 4 legs (quadruped) 2

1b. Organism walks on 2 legs (biped) 8

2a. Organism has visible fur 3

2b. Organism has no visible fur 20

3a. Organism lives in warm climates 7

3b. Organism lives in cold climates 4

4a. Organism has brown or black fur Ursus americanus

4b. Organism has white fur Ursus maritimus