Classification of Organisms To communicate with each other about the diversity of life, biologists have found it necessary to name and classify things

 Taxonomy is the science of classifying living things.  The Greek philosopher and biologist Aristotle was the first to attempt the classification of organisms based on their structural differences  Taxonomy is the science of classifying living things.  The Greek philosopher and biologist Aristotle was the first to attempt the classification of organisms based on their structural differences

 Following the Dark Ages in Europe, the English naturalist John Ray, introduced a more complete classification system that included the concept of species. Species are groups of interbreeding natural populations that are reproductively isolated from other groups.

 In the 18th Century, Carolus Linnaeus developed our modern hierarchial system of classification.  The major catagories or TAXA are:  In the 18th Century, Carolus Linnaeus developed our modern hierarchial system of classification.  The major catagories or TAXA are:

 Kingdom  Phylum  Class  Order  Family  Genus  Species  Kingdom  Phylum  Class  Order  Family  Genus  Species

 These can be subdivided into finer catagories such as superclass, subclass, infraclass, superorder, suborder.  Linnaeus’ system for naming species is known as BINOMIAL NOMENCLATURE (a two name naming system)  These can be subdivided into finer catagories such as superclass, subclass, infraclass, superorder, suborder.  Linnaeus’ system for naming species is known as BINOMIAL NOMENCLATURE (a two name naming system)

 Each species has a name composed of two words. The first is the genus and the second is the species. These names come from Latin or Greek  The GENUS is written with a capital letter and is always a noun.  The SPECIES is written with a small letter and is usually an adjective  Each species has a name composed of two words. The first is the genus and the second is the species. These names come from Latin or Greek  The GENUS is written with a capital letter and is always a noun.  The SPECIES is written with a small letter and is usually an adjective

 To show that these names are scientific names they are either underlined or written in italics.  For example, Homo sapiens.  To show that these names are scientific names they are either underlined or written in italics.  For example, Homo sapiens.