Wize High School Grade 11 Biology Textbook > Biodiversity & Ecosystem Health
Classifying Organisms: Taxonomy
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Linnaean System
Issue with common names
- Change frequently
- Differ by region
- local names, different languages etc.
- Solution = Use unique Latin names for all organisms
Vocabulary
- Nomenclature: The system of rules used to name things
- Taxonomy: The system of naming organisms
- Systematics: The system of classifying organisms based on their evolutionary relationship
Scientific Naming
- Each species has a unique binomial name
- Genus species Example: Bufo boreas (Western Toad)
- may be abbreviated as G. species Example: B. boreas
- Also called the "species name"
Exam Tip
Notice that "Genus" is always capitalized, and "species" is always lowercase.
Also notice that Genus species is always italicized
Hierarchical Classification
- Naming organisms using nested levels
- Provides evolutionary history of each species
- Each level down = closer related group
- From broad to general the levels are: Domain > Kingdom > Phylum > Class > Order > Family > Genus > Species Example: Eukarya > Animalia > Chordata > Amphibia > Anura > Bufonidae > Bufo > boreas
Wize Concept
This nested system is like your shipping address: Country > State > City > Street > Building > Apartment > Individual.
The information in your address moves from very general to very specific, until you can pinpoint a single person.
Practice: Scientific Name
What is one correct way to write the scientific name of the Western Fence Lizard?
Practice: Taxonomy
Which of the following represents the largest taxonomic level?
Practice: Taxonomy
Which of the following taxonomic groups would contain the fewest number of species?