Classification

Mrs. Healey

Warm up

How would you organize these animals in a zoo?

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Patterns

One of our key adaptations that we have is that we are able to recognize patterns in objects. As humans we look for patterns so we can sort things into categories.

This has helped us with inventing many technologies and is a key component in Science!

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Imagining life with no categories

Imagine going to Walmart and there is no pattern to the store. Everything is thrown into random areas. You need to find some teddy graham crackers. How long is it going to take you?

How do we classify things?

Classification is based on PHYSICAL structures as well as how closely related things are!

Ex: Lions and tigers look more like each other than they look like bears so they would be in the same category.

Classification- grouping of things according to similar characteristics

Taxonomy- science of classification

History of classification

Aristotle: proposed the first classification system

Two groups - plants and animals

Animals were divided into three categories- fly, swim, (walk, run, crawl)

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Plant or Animal?

Plant or Animal?

Linnaeus

-developed the classification system used today

-based on structure, anatomy, and appearance.

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Binomial Nomenclature

Two part naming system; also known as the scientific name

*bi=two

*Nom=name

Genus+species= scientific name

Genus (capitalized) species (lowercase)

Ex:

Binomial Nomenclature

Modern Classification

Animalia

Chordata

Mammalia

Primates

Hominidae

Homo

sapiens

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All living things are classified into seven major groups

Kingdom

Phylum general

Class

Order

Family

Genus specific

Species

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Taxaphrase Assignment

Create a phrase to help you remember the general categories. You will then draw that phrase with it :) yep you did this in 7th grade. No stick figures are allowed. Drawings must be colored for full credit.

Example that you can’t use:

Kings play cards on fat green stools.

Taxonomy is important because….

Teaches organization skills which are important in science

Keeps everyone on the same page because common names can differ in different place in the world. Example: Cougar, Puma, Panther, Mountain lion, Catamount all can refer to the same organisms Felis concolor.

Helps organize research and identify gaps so scientists can understand what to investigate next.

Helps students understand biodiversity which is necessary for effective decision making about conservation and sustainable use.

Phylogenetic Classification

Groups together animals that have a common ancestor

Not necessarily the same as traditional groups based on structure and function. This is also known as a cladogram.

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