Classification of Living Things

Front

Taxonomy Noun

---

[tak-son-uh-mee]

Back

Taxonomy

---

The science of organizing, classifying, and naming living things into a universally accepted system based on shared characteristics.

---

Example: Taxonomy is the science of classifying living things into a hierarchy of groups, from broad categories like Kingdom down to very specific ones like Species.

Front

Binomial Nomenclature Noun

---

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

Back

Binomial Nomenclature

---

The two-name scientific naming system for organisms, consisting of the capitalized genus name and the lowercase species name.

---

Example: This diagram shows that binomial nomenclature is a two-part scientific naming system, using the tiger (Panthera tigris) to show the Genus and Species names.

Front

Species Noun

---

[spee-sheez]

Back

Species

---

A group of similar individuals that can interbreed in nature to produce viable and fertile offspring.

---

Example: All these dogs, from a chihuahua to a German shepherd, look very different but belong to the same species because they can breed with each other.

Front

Genus Noun

---

[jee-nuhs]

Back

Genus

---

A taxonomic rank consisting of a group of similar species; it is the first part of a scientific name.

---

Example: This diagram shows the classification of a red fox, placing the Genus 'Vulpes' as a specific level in the hierarchy between Family and Species.

Front

Domain Noun

---

[doh-meyn]

Back

Domain

---

The highest and most general level of biological classification, primarily based on fundamental differences in cell type.

---

Example: This diagram shows that Domain is the highest and most inclusive level in the classification of living things, containing all other groups like Kingdom and Phylum.

Front

Kingdom Noun

---

[king-duhm]

Back

Kingdom

---

A major, general level of biological classification that ranks just below a domain in the taxonomic hierarchy.

---

Example: This diagram shows that a Kingdom is a major grouping in the classification of life, illustrating four examples (Protoctista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia).

Front

Phylum Noun

---

[fahy-luhm]

Back

Phylum

---

A principal taxonomic category that ranks above class and below kingdom, grouping together related classes of organisms.

---

Example: This image shows examples of animals in the Phylum Chordata (in color) and contrasts them with animals from other phyla (in grey) to illustrate a major classification group.

Front

Prokaryotic Adjective

---

[proh-kar-ee-ot-ik]

Back

Prokaryotic

---

A type of simple cell that lacks a true nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles, characteristic of bacteria.

---

Example: This diagram shows a prokaryotic cell (a bacterium), which lacks a true nucleus; its DNA is located in a region called the nucleoid.

Front

Eukaryotic Adjective

---

[yoo-kar-ee-ot-ik]

Back

Eukaryotic

---

A type of complex cell that contains a membrane-bound nucleus and other specialized organelles within its cytoplasm.

---

Example: This diagram shows a cell nucleus, the membrane-bound organelle that contains the genetic material. The presence of a nucleus defines a eukaryotic cell.

Front

Autotroph Noun

---

[aw-toh-trof]

Back

Autotroph

---

An organism that can produce its own food from inorganic substances, typically using light or chemical energy.

---

Example: An autotroph, like this plant, makes its own food (glucose) by using energy from sunlight, water from the soil, and carbon dioxide from the air.