1. Classifying Organisms
7th grade science

2. Biologists group organisms based on similarities!

3. Classification – is the process of grouping things based on their similarities
Biologists use classification to organize living things into groups so that the organisms are easier to study

4. Taxonomy – the scientific study of how living things are classified
Taxonomy is useful because it provides scientists with specific information about particular organisms
Ex: if you know a crow is classified as a bird, then you know that a crow has wings, feathers and a beak

5. The Naming System of Linnaeus:
Swedish naturalist, Carolus Linnaeus, created a system of naming organisms that is still used today
Linnaeus place organisms in groups based on their observable features, and have organisms a unique two-part scientific name

6. Binomial Nomenclature – the naming system Linnaeus used
The first word in an organism’s scientific name is its genus
Genus – is a classification grouping that contains similar, closely related organisms
Ex: pumas, marbled cats and house cats are all classified in the genus Felis – they all share characteristics such as sharp, retractable claws and behaviors such as hunting other animals
The second word in a scientific name often describes a distinctive feature of an organism, such as where it lives or its appearance
Mountain Lion Puma concolor --
Marbled Cat - Pardofelis marmorata
House cat Felis domesticus

7. Species – is a group of similar organisms that can mate with each other and produce offspring that can also mate and reproduce
Ex: marmorata means marbled, and describes the pattern on the animal’s coat
Felis marmorata was a cat,
here are some other species
called marmorata! Look at
their pattern.
Trota marmorata
Actinemys marmorata
Dossinia marmorata

8. How to Write a Scientific Name:
The complete scientific name is write in italics
On the first letter of the first word is capitalized-in other words, only the genus is capitalized
The first letter of the second word is lower case
The scientific name for the common house cat is Felis domesticus

9. Did King Peter Come Over For, Grandmas Spaghetti?
Levels of Classification:
Organisms are classified into eight levels - the more classification levels that two organisms share, the more characteristics they have in common
Did King Peter Come Over For, Grandmas Spaghetti?

10. Spaghetti
Grandmas
For,
Over
Come
Peter
King
Did

11. As you move through the levels of classification, the number of organisms decreases – the organisms at final levels share more characteristics with each other
Classifying an Owl:
Domain = Eukarya
Kingdom = Animalia
Phylum = Chrodata
Class = Aves
Order = Strigiformes
Family = Strigidae
Genus = Bubo
Species = virginianus
Great Horned Owl
(Bubo virginianus)

12. It doesn’t matter if you place the Domain at the top or the bottom of the chart, the domain is always the broadest or largest classification and the species is the smallest or more specific classification.