Taxonomy Notes.pdf

Chapter 18: Diversity and Variation
Unit Objectives
What students should know and be able to do:
• Define a species.
• Compare and contrast variation and diversity
• Identify the 8 levels of classification? List them in order from largest to
smallest.
• Name the 6 kingdoms. Be able to match descriptive phrases or examples with
each of the kingdoms.
• What are the 3 domains? How do they relate to the 6 kingdoms?
• Which kingdom no longer exists that was part of the 5 kingdom system? Where
are the organisms that belonged to it now?
• Explain the significance of binomial nomenclature and be able to generate and
correctly write the scientific name of any organism.
• Compare and contrast systems of classification developed by Aristotle and
Linnaeus
• Develop and use a dichotomous key to classify an organism
• Identify and define the types of body symmetry in animals.
• Explain the general differences between vertebrates and invertebrates.
• General characteristics of the 7 vertebrate classes.

5. Evolution and Biodiversity
Central Concepts: Evolution is the result of genetic changes that occur in
constantly changing environments. Over many generations, changes in the
genetic make-up of populations may affect biodiversity through speciation and
extinction.
5.1 Explain how evolution is demonstrated by evidence from the fossil
record, comparative anatomy, genetics, molecular biology, and examples of
natural selection.
5.2 Describe species as reproductively distinct groups of organisms.
Recognize that species are further classified into a hierarchical taxonomic
system (kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species) based on
morphological, behavioral, and molecular similarities. Describe the role that
geographic isolation can play in speciation.
5.3 Explain how evolution through natural selection can result in changes in
biodiversity through the increase or decrease of genetic diversity within a
population.

Ch. 18 TAXONOMY
3 Domain System
5 Kingdom System

TAXONOMY- Science of classifying living things.
Why classify?
How Many Species? A Study Says 8.7 Million, but It’s Tricky
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/30/science/30species.html

1st Classification System
Aristotle 384-322 BC
Two Groups:
Grouped by size
Plants Animals
Grouped by habitat
herbs shrubs trees air land water

Carolus Linnaeus 1707-1778
All organisms should be classified using
the same criteria.
Used Homologous Structures to classify.
Still use many of his groupings today.

Classification Hierarchy
Classification Group:
Domain
General characteristics in common
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species Specific characteristics in common

Domain-------------------Eukaryota
Domain
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Eukaryota
Animalia
Chordata (vertebrates)
Mammalia (mammals)
Cetacea
Balaenopteridae
Megaptera
novaeangliae

SPECIES DEFINITION:
Two organisms are members of the same species if they meet all of the following
criteria:
1. Successful mating in a
2. Natural environment (which excludes labs, farms, zoos or anything that humans interfere
with that is not “natural”).
3. Producing viable (healthy, strong, able to survive to adult stage) offspring which are
themselves
4. Fertile (that is, capable of producing sperm or eggs and producing offspring of the
parents)

Binomial Nomenclature
* Two word latin naming system that produces the scientific name of an
organism.
* Taxonomists don't like common names. Why?
* Scientific names are created using the Genus group and the Species group.
Grammar Rules: Genus group is capitalized, species group lower case.
Both words underlined , italicized, or boldified.
Homo sapien or Homo sapien or Homo sapien

Modern Classification
The species of classification is determined by who can mate with
whom. Taxonomists then create ways in which to classify the levels above
species. Linnaeus's system had some limitations and problems and not all
taxonomists are in consensus on how all organisms should be grouped.
Therefore, classification groups can change.
Today, our classification system is based on PHYLOGENY. Biologists
group organisms into categories that represent lines of evolutionary
descent and not just homologous structures.

Similarities in DNA and RNA
The genes in many organisms show important similarites at the
molecular level. Similarities in DNA can be used to help determine
classification and evolutionary relationships.
American Vulture African Vulture Stork
Horshoe Crab

Currently a 3 Domain System