1. The History of Classification and Taxonomic Systems

2. Early Classification Systems
Aristotle’s Classification System:
Plants
Herbs
Shrubs
Trees
Violets
Rosemary
Onions
Blackberry Bush
Honeysuckle
Flannelbush
Apple
Oak
Maple
Animals
Land
Water
Air
Wolf
Cat
Bear
Dolphin
Eel
Sea bass
Owl
Bat
Crow

3. Early Classification Systems Continued

4. Comparing Classification Systems
Aristotle
Linnaeus
Aristotle’s categories were very general
As new organisms were discovered, scientists were unable to classify organisms under these categories.
Ex. Frogs live on land and in water.
More specific
We use this system today
The system is called taxonomy

5. Taxonomy Linnaeus’s system used the principles of taxonomy.
Taxonomy: The discipline of identifying, naming and classifying species based on their natural relationships

6. Binomial Nomenclature
Taxonomic organization includes a term called Binomial Nomenclature.
This means that the scientific name of a species contains two names
1.) Genus name
2.) Species name
Example: Humans: Homo sapiens
Homo – Genus name sapiens – Species name

7. Today’s Taxonomic Categories
Highlighted categories are the actual scientific name (Bionomial Nomenclature).
Species Most specific category
Genus Containing related species
Family Containing related genera
Order Contains related families
Class Contains related orders
Phylum Contains related classes
Kingdom Contains related Phyla or divisions
Domain Broadest category that contains one or more kingdoms

8. How to remember the order of the Taxonomic System
Domain – Dumb
Kingdom – Kings
Phylum – Play
Class – Cards
Order- On
Family – Fancy
Genus – Green
Species – Stools
“Dumb kings play cards on fancy green stools.”

9. Classification Video
Classification Video

10. Exit Questions
1.) Why is it important to have a biological classification system? 2.) Compare and contrast Linnaeus and Aristotle’s systems of classification. 3.) Define and describe binomial nomenclature.