Unit V: ClassificationMs. BuechlerInt. Sci. 4/Biology

EW

What is Classification??

There are over 2.5 million kinds of organisms, ranging from single-celled organisms to multi-cellular we need a way grouping organisms into logical categories so that we can systematically name them.

Classify= group ideas, information or objects based on similarities and differences

What is Classification?

Biological classification systems have 2 features:1. assigns a universally accepted name to

each organism allows scientists to exchange info/ideas regardless of language differences.

2. places organisms into groups with real meaning all members of a group share similar characteristics.

What is Classification?Aristotle was the 1st to classify

organisms he divided organisms into 2 categories plants or animals

Plants Animals

Size Structure Air Land Sea

This was a difficult system to standardize, with ridiculously long names…

What is Classification?Carolus Linnaeus was a Swedish botanist that developed a better system for naming organisms, which is still used today Binomial Nomenclature (means “two names”) organisms are given a two-part Latin scientific

name◦ The 1st name represents the organisms Genus, which

are a group of organism with similar characteristics that are closely related

◦ The 2nd name represents the organisms Species, which are a group of organisms that share similar characteristics and can breed with one another to produce viable offspring.

Ex> Canis Lupis=gray wolfEx>Acer rubrum= red maple

What is Classification?Taxonomy= the science of classifying

and naming organisms the groups that Linnaeus assigned organism were called taxa

What is Classification??Gray Wolf

Kingdom= AnimaliaPhylum= MammaliaClass=ChordataOrder=CarnivoraFamily= CanidaeGenus= CanisSpecies=Lupus

Scientific Name= Canis Lupus

Classification Videohttp://youtu.be/tYL_8gv7RiE

Alien Classification Directions Assume one ancestral alien (top of

tree) Separate your aliens into two large

groups what is the most important distinguishing characteristic?◦ Body Markings v. No Markings?◦ Arms v. No Arms? ◦ Eyes v. No Eyes?

Begin making your tree - each time it branches, only make 2 new branches

On each branch, write what characteristic you are using to determine the branching

At each branch end, glue one alien Branches do not need to be the same

length or have the same number of "steps"

Alien Classification Directions Assume one ancestral alien (top of

tree) Separate your aliens into two large

groups what is the most important distinguishing characteristic?◦ Body Markings v. No Markings?◦ Arms v. No Arms? ◦ Eyes v. No Eyes?

Begin making your tree - each time it branches, only make 2 new branches

On each branch, write what characteristic you are using to determine the branching

At each branch end, glue one alien Branches do not need to be the same

length or have the same number of "steps"

Alien Classification Directions

Answer the following on the back of your Alien Classification Tree:1. How did you decide how to group the aliens?2. How could the tree be used to help identify aliens?3. How can you use your tree to determine which aliens are probably more closely related?

Classification Keys LabClassification Keys.doc