1. Levels of Classification

2. Linneaus’ Classification System
Based on a hierarchical classification that has seven main levels or taxa
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
general
Taxa = category used to classify organisms
specific

3. Taxon (taxa plural) = a named group of organisms such as phylum Chordata or order Rodentia
Rank = a level in a classification scheme, such as phylum or order

4. A Closer Look at the Kingdoms
First classification system was based on plants and animals
With the aid of microscopes, new organisms and cell types were discovered
Now a two-kingdom system is no longer useful
In this course we will use the six Kingdom system:
Bacteria
Archaebacteria
Protista
Fungi
Plants
Animals
When Linnaeus first came up with his classification system, based it on 2 kingdoms – Animals and Plants; but the use of the microscope led to the discovery of new organisms and the identication of differences in cells – so a two kingdom system was no longer useful

5. A Closer Look at the Kingdoms
In this course we will use the six Kingdom system:
Eubacteria
Archaebacteria
Protista
Fungi
Plants
Animals
When Linnaeus first came up with his classification system, based it on 2 kingdoms – Animals and Plants; but the use of the microscope led to the discovery of new organisms and the identication of differences in cells – so a two kingdom system was no longer useful

6. How are organisms divided into kingdoms?
The MAIN characteristics used to divide organisms into kingdoms are:
Cell type, complex or simple
Their ability to make food (nutrition)
The number of cells in their body (multicellularity)
How they reproduce
Presence/absence and type of a cell wall
Habitat

7. Review of cell types
Eukaryote versus Prokaryote cells – can you see the difference?

8. Kingdom Animalia General Characteristics Representative Organisms
Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic
Eukaryote, all multicellular
e.g. Sponges, worms. Crayfish, frogs, fish, birds, cats, humans
Heterotrophic vs. Autotrophic
Heterotrophic
Cell Wall Present or absent
Absent
Reproduction
Usually sexual, but some asexual
Habitat
Terrestrial & aquatic, not extreme environmentts

9. Kingdom Plantae General Characteristics Representative Organisms
Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic
Eukaryotic, all multicellular
e.g. Mosses, ferns, conifers, shrubs, flowering plants
Heterotrophic vs. Autotrophic
Photosynthetic Autotroph
Cell Wall Present or absent
Present – contains cellulose
Reproduction
Sexual and Asexual
Habitat
Sun exposed environments

10. Eukaryotic, generally multicellular Present – made of Chitin
Kingdom Fungi
General Characteristics
Representative Organisms
Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic
Eukaryotic, generally multicellular
e.g. Yeast, bread moulds, mushrooms
Heterotrophic vs. Autotrophic
Heterotrophic
Cell Wall Present or absent
Present – made of Chitin
Reproduction
Asexual and sexual
Habitat
Mostly terrestrial,

11. Kingdom Protista General Characteristics Representative Organisms
Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic
Eukaryote, mostly unicellular
e.g. Algae, amoeba
Heterotrophic vs. Autotrophic
Photosynthetic Autotroph or Heterotroph
Cell Wall Present or absent
Usually none
Reproduction
Sexual and asexual
Habitat
Aquatic or moist habitats

12. Kingdom Eubacteria General Characteristics Representative Organisms
Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic
Prokaryote, unicellular
e.g. Bacteria, streptococcus, cyanobacteria, samonella
Heterotrophic vs. Autotrophic
Autotrophic or Heterotrophic
Cell Wall Present or absent
Often present, non-cellulose
Reproduction
Asexual
Habitat
Almost everywhere
Helicobacter pylori

13. Kingdom Archaebacteria
General Characteristics
Representative Organisms
Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic
Prokaryotic, unicellular
e.g. Methanogens, halophiles (salt loving)
Heterotrophic vs. Autotrophic
Autotrophi and heterotrophic
Cell Wall Present or absent
Present, non-celluose
Reproduction
Asexual
Habitat
Extreme environments
Halobacterium

14. Guess that Kingdom What Kingdom do I belong to? Animalia
Charaxes brutus natalensis

15. Guess that Kingdom
What Kingdom do I belong to?
Protista
Paramecium

16. Guess that Kingdom What Kingdom do I belong to? Plantae
Athyrium filix-femina

17. Guess that Kingdom
What Kingdom do I belong to? I live in this hot spring ?
Archaebacteria

18. Guess that Kingdom
What Kingdom do I belong to?
Fungi
Amanita muscaria

19. Guess that Kingdom What Kingdom do I belong to? Eubacteria
Hyella stella

20. Dichotomous Keys
a series of branching “either / or” choices designed to classify specimens

21. A sample Dichotomous Key