Taxonomy

Taxonomy

The Science of Classification

Divide the fruit into smaller groups based on any similarities that you notice.

Open Ended

How did you group the fruit?

Why did you divide your fruit like that?

What characteristics influenced your decision?

Color? Size? Or something else?

Share your answer with your class.

Scientists

classify organisms in a similar way to the way you classified the fruit. Both of you looked for observable features and for ways that the different organisms are related.

By the way, new species are found, named, and classified every year. Check out Trimeresurus salazar, found in the Himalayas, 2020 and named after a Harry Potter character.

Carl Linnaeus

In the 18th century, Linnaeus created a universal system for classifying and naming organisms called binomial nomenclature. Many call Linnaeus the Father of Taxonomy.

During Linnaeus' time, all living things were classified as either plants or animals. Today, most scientists say that we have six kingdoms of life.

Taxonomy

• A system used to group living things;

• Scientists start broad (with one big group)

• They break the big group into sub-groups (Like you did with the fruit).

• It's easier to study something if it has been broken into smaller categories or groups.

Multiple Choice

Taxonomy is

• the amount of tax on groceries

• a system of classifying living things

• the way you put fruit on a plate

• All of the above

New Kingdoms

For centuries, all living things were classified as either plants or animals, even one-celled organisms. In 1866, Ernst Haekle introduced a third kingdom of life for one-celled organisms: Protista. Over time, more kingdoms of life have been added.

Today, most scientists say that we have six kingdoms of life.

Who knows

How many Kingdoms of Life there will be when you grow up?

As scientists observe and learn more about organisms they often change the way that they classify organisms.

Open Ended

Why do you think that scientists classify organisms?