Classification

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Taxonomy Noun

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[tak-son-uh-mee]

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Taxonomy

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The science of classifying, naming, and describing organisms into groups based on shared characteristics and evolutionary history.

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Example: This diagram shows taxonomy, the system for classifying life, as a hierarchy from the most general group (Life) at the top to the most specific group (Species) at the bottom.

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Classification Noun

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[klas-uh-fi-kay-shun]

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Classification

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The systematic process of grouping organisms into hierarchical categories based on their similarities and evolutionary relationships.

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Example: This diagram shows how living things are classified by sorting them into groups. The large group Eukarya is divided into four smaller kingdoms: Protoctista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.

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Taxon Noun

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[tak-son]

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Taxon

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A specific group or level of organization within a classification system, such as kingdom, phylum, or species.

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Example: This diagram shows the main levels of biological classification, from broad to specific. Each level, such as 'Kingdom' or 'Family,' is a taxon.

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Binomial Nomenclature Noun

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[by-noh-mee-uhl noh-muhn-klay-cher]

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Binomial Nomenclature

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The scientific method of giving each species a unique, two-word Latin name consisting of the genus and species.

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Example: This diagram shows how binomial nomenclature works by using a tiger as an example, breaking its scientific name, Panthera tigris, into its Genus and Species parts.

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Domain Noun

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[doh-meyn]

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Domain

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The broadest and most inclusive level of biological classification, ranked above the kingdom, representing a major evolutionary lineage.

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Example: This image shows the three Domains, the highest level of life classification: Bacteria (simple cells), Archaea (extremophiles), and Eukarya (complex organisms like plants and animals).

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Kingdom Noun

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[king-duhm]

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Kingdom

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A major taxonomic rank just below domain, grouping together related phyla based on fundamental characteristics like cell structure.

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Example: This diagram shows the five-kingdom classification system, organizing all living things into major groups: Monera, Protists, Fungi, Plants, and Animals.

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Phylum Noun

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[fahy-luhm]

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Phylum

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A principal taxonomic category that ranks above class and below kingdom, grouping organisms with a similar body plan.

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Example: This diagram shows the levels of biological classification. 'Phylum' is a major group, more specific than Kingdom but broader than Class.

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Class Noun

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[klas]

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Class

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A taxonomic rank below phylum and above order, used to group together organisms that share major characteristics.

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Example: This diagram shows the levels of biological classification from broadest (Domain) to most specific (Species). 'Class' is a key level in this hierarchy, more specific than Phylum but broader than Order.

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Order Noun

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[or-der]

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Order

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A taxonomic rank used in classification that is below class and above family, containing a group of related families.

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Example: This diagram shows the levels of biological classification, from broad (Domain) to specific (Species). 'Order' is a key level, grouping related families; for example, the Order Carnivora includes meat-eating mammals.

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Family Noun

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[fam-uh-lee]

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Family

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A taxonomic rank between order and genus that contains a group of related genera sharing common attributes.

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Example: This diagram shows the levels of biological classification, from the broadest (Domain) to the most specific (Species). 'Family' is a key level in this hierarchy.