Scientific Name

Classification of Living Things

Unit 4, Section 1

Match

Match each of the following vocabulary words to their corresponding definitions.

• Prokaryote

• Eukaryote

• Autotroph

• Heterotroph

A cell that does not contain a nucleus

A cell that contains a nucleus

An organism that produces its own food

An organism which cannot produce food

• A cell that does not contain a nucleus

• A cell that contains a nucleus

• An organism that produces its own food

• An organism which cannot produce food

• The six kingdoms of life can be organized based on whether members are:

  • Unicellular or multicellular

  • Prokaryotic or eukaryotic

  • Autotrophic or heterotrophic

The Six Kingdoms of Life

​Kingdom	Unicellular / Multicellular​	​Prokaryotic / Eukaryotic	​Autotrophic / Heterotrophic
​Archaebacteria	Unicellular​	​Prokaryotic	​Both
Eubacteria​	Unicellular​	Prokaryotic​	Both​
Protists​	Mostly Unicellular​	Eukaryotic​	Both​
Fungi​	Mostly Multicellular​	​Eukaryotic	Heterotrophic​
Plants​	Multicellular​	Eukaryotic​	Autotrophic​
Animals​	Multicellular	Eukaryotic​	Heterotrophic​

• Taxonomy - a classification based on an organisms physical characteristics

• Every organisms on Earth has its own taxonomy

Taxonomy

• There are fewer organisms in each classification as you move from kingdom to species

• Those remaining organisms have more physical characteristics in common, however

Levels of Taxonomy and Similarities

Scientific Name - the genus and species of an organisms

• Written in italics

• Genus is capitalized, species isn't

• Example: the fennec fox's scientific name is Vulpes zerda or V. zerda

Scientific Name

Two organisms are members of the same species if:

• They can produce offspring

• Their offspring can also produce offspring

Species

Multiple Choice

Look at the image, which shows the taxonomy of the giraffe. What is the scientific name of the giraffe?

• Giraffa camelopardalis

• Animalia camelopardalis

• Artiodactyla giraffa

• Chordata giraffa