1. Classification of Living Things
Introduction to the Modern System

2. Need for Classification
Living things have characteristics in common such as the functions or activities that are necessary to maintain life.
In order to study living things in an organized and efficient way, biologists find it necessary to classify or group organisms in a logical way.

3. Basis for Classification
The most common basis for classifying organisms is similarities in structure.
Such as the exoskeleton, appendages, organs, or cellular structures (chloroplasts, nuclei).
Biochemical and genetic similarities, in patterns of embryological development, and fossil evidence are also used for classification.

4. Modern System of Classification
Our modern classification system assumes that present day forms of life developed from earlier forms.
The Kingdom is the largest classification group.
Today, most biologists group organisms into a six-kingdom system:
Archaebacteria (ancient bacteria), Eubacteria (true bacteria), Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia

5. Classification Standards
The six kingdom system is based on the following standards:
1. The presence or absence of a nuclear membrane within the cell.
2. Whether the organism is unicellular (one-celled) or multicellular (many celled)
3. Type of nutrition

6. Subdivisions of Kingdoms
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species -includes all organisms of the same kind

7. Scientific Names
Common names are not used, Latin is used for scientific naming because it is the universal language of science and it is accepted worldwide.
Binomial Nomenclature- consist of a genus and species name for each organism.
These names are written in italics.
The genus name is capitalized and the species name is not capitalized.
Homo sapiens………….man
Canis familaris…………dog