Classification and Taxonomy

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Biology Noun

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[by-ol-uh-jee]

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Biology

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The scientific study of living organisms and their vital processes, including their structure, function, growth, origin, and distribution.

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Example: This diagram shows biological classification (taxonomy), the system biologists use to organize all life from general groups (like Kingdom) to very specific ones (like Species).

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Taxonomy Noun

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[tak-son-uh-mee]

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Taxonomy

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The branch of science concerned with the description, identification, nomenclature, and classification of organisms into an ordered system.

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Example: This diagram shows taxonomy by arranging living things into a hierarchy from the broadest group (Domain) to the most specific (Species).

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Taxonomist Noun

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[tak-son-uh-mist]

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Taxonomist

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A biologist who specializes in the science of classifying living things into groups based on their characteristics and relationships.

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Example: A taxonomist is a scientist who classifies living things into a hierarchy of groups, from the broad 'Domain' down to the specific 'Species'.

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Taxon Noun

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[tak-son]

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Taxon

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A group of one or more organisms in a classification system, such as a kingdom, phylum, or species.

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Example: This diagram shows that a large group like the domain Eukarya is a taxon, and the smaller kingdoms it contains, like Animalia, are also taxa.

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Domain Noun

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[doh-meyn]

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Domain

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The highest and most general level of taxonomic classification, ranking above the kingdom in the hierarchy of life.

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Example: This diagram shows the levels of biological classification, with Domain at the top as the broadest and most inclusive category, containing all other levels.

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Kingdom Noun

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[king-duhm]

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Kingdom

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The second highest taxonomic rank, below domain, which groups together all related phyla based on fundamental characteristics.

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Example: This diagram shows that living things are sorted into five major groups called kingdoms: 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 from most general (Kingdom) to most specific (Species). Phylum is a major rank below Kingdom.

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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. 'Class' is a major rank, more specific than a phylum but broader than an 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 below class and above family, used to categorize organisms with more specific shared features.

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Example: This diagram shows the hierarchy of biological classification, placing the rank 'Order' between the broader category 'Class' and the more specific category 'Family'.

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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 below order and above genus, grouping together several related genera with 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 one level in this hierarchy.