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Skill 1: What is taxonomy?
Skill 1: What is taxonomy?
Skill 2: What is binomial nomenclature and who invented it?
Skill 2: What is binomial nomenclature and who invented it?
Taxonomy is the study of grouping organisms based on similarities.
Taxonomy is the study of grouping organisms based on similarities.
Carolus Linnaeus created the taxonomic system which is still in use today.
Carolus Linnaeus created the taxonomic system which is still in use today.
He created binomial nomenclature, a system of naming organisms using two names. (bi=two, nomen=name) When you use this system, you have written the scientific name of an organism. Humans are known as Homo sapiens. Wolves are Canis lupus.
He created binomial nomenclature, a system of naming organisms using two names. (bi=two, nomen=name) When you use this system, you have written the scientific name of an organism. Humans are known as Homo sapiens. Wolves are Canis lupus.
Binomial nomenclature consists of two Latin-like names. The first is the genus and it is capitalized. The second is the species and it is lowercase. Both words are italicized when typed or underlined when hand-written.
Binomial nomenclature consists of two Latin-like names. The first is the genus and it is capitalized. The second is the species and it is lowercase. Both words are italicized when typed or underlined when hand-written.
Two organisms are part of the same species if they can produce fertile offspring. For example two Canis Lupis, or wolves, can produce offspring, or babies, that are fertile. This means they are capable of having babies of their own.
Two organisms are part of the same species if they can produce fertile offspring. For example two Canis Lupis, or wolves, can produce offspring, or babies, that are fertile. This means they are capable of having babies of their own.
Horse x Donkey = Mule
Horse x Donkey = Mule
Tiger x Lion = Liger
Tiger x Lion = Liger
Do you know of two different species that can have babies together?
Do you know of two different species that can have babies together?
Did you know that their babies are often sterile, such as mules and ligers, but Grolar Bears are fertile?
Did you know that their babies are often sterile, such as mules and ligers, but Grolar Bears are fertile?
Sterile means cannot grow life (reproduce.) Fertile means can grow life, such as the fertile soil of Mesopotamia. All species and a few hybrids are fertile.
Sterile means cannot grow life (reproduce.) Fertile means can grow life, such as the fertile soil of Mesopotamia. All species and a few hybrids are fertile.
Selasphorus rufus
Selasphorus rufus
Canis rufus
Canis rufus
Always look at the genus and species names together when determining how closely related two organisms are. The species name is often just a description of a physical characteristic. For instance, "rufus" just means red. That does not mean that the bird, Selasphorus rufus, and the wolf, Canis rufus, are closely related. It just means that they are both red. The genus must be the same for species to be closely related.
Always look at the genus and species names together when determining how closely related two organisms are. The species name is often just a description of a physical characteristic. For instance, "rufus" just means red. That does not mean that the bird, Selasphorus rufus, and the wolf, Canis rufus, are closely related. It just means that they are both red. The genus must be the same for species to be closely related.
Skill 3: Know the taxa in order from domain through species.
Skill 3: Know the taxa in order from domain through species.
One level is called a "taxon," while multiple levels are called "taxa."
One level is called a "taxon," while multiple levels are called "taxa."
Look at the image to the left. What do you notice when you compare the species to the genus?
Look at the image to the left. What do you notice when you compare the species to the genus?
What about when you compare the genus to the family?
What about when you compare the genus to the family?
With your team, create a general rule about the organisms within a taxon, when compared to a higher taxon (one to the right.)
With your team, create a general rule about the organisms within a taxon, when compared to a higher taxon (one to the right.)
Create a mnemonic device to remember the taxa in order from largest to smallest or memorize the one below.
Create a mnemonic device to remember the taxa in order from largest to smallest or memorize the one below.
This is a mnemonic my former students taught me:
This is a mnemonic my former students taught me:
Dumb Kids Playing Catch On Freeways Get Squished
Dumb Kids Playing Catch On Freeways Get Squished
Dumb = Domain
Dumb = Domain
Kids = Kingdom
Kids = Kingdom
Playing = Phylum
Playing = Phylum
Catch = Class
Catch = Class
On = Order
On = Order
Freeways = Family
Freeways = Family
Get = Genus
Get = Genus
Squished = Species
Squished = Species
Skill 4: What technology is presently the most accurate way to classify organisms?
Skill 4: What technology is presently the most accurate way to classify organisms?
Skill 5: Is classification static (constant) or dynamic (variable), in response to new discoveries?
Skill 5: Is classification static (constant) or dynamic (variable), in response to new discoveries?
Originally, morphological characteristics were used to classify organisms into groups. "Morph" means "form," so what are morphological characteristics?
Originally, morphological characteristics were used to classify organisms into groups. "Morph" means "form," so what are morphological characteristics?
Using morphological characteristics, or physical similarities, a dolphin and a shark would be grouped together. What are some similarities between the shark and the dolphin?
Using morphological characteristics, or physical similarities, a dolphin and a shark would be grouped together. What are some similarities between the shark and the dolphin?
We no longer group sharks and dolphins together. What makes them so different?
We no longer group sharks and dolphins together. What makes them so different?
What does this tell you about the science of taxonomy? Is it static (constant) or dynamic (variable?)
What does this tell you about the science of taxonomy? Is it static (constant) or dynamic (variable?)
Later, fossils were used to look for similarities between ancient organisms, adding new information to what was already known. This caused scientists to change the way they classified some organisms.
Later, fossils were used to look for similarities between ancient organisms, adding new information to what was already known. This caused scientists to change the way they classified some organisms.
The best way to classify organisms today is called DNA sequencing. This means "reading" the genes in an organism. "Ancestry" and "23 and Me" work in this way. They read your genes and find people you are related to.
The best way to classify organisms today is called DNA sequencing. This means "reading" the genes in an organism. "Ancestry" and "23 and Me" work in this way. They read your genes and find people you are related to.
When looking at relationships between species, scientists can very accurately classify them according to their common ancestors. A common ancestor is a species that lived long ago and split off into two or more new species.
When looking at relationships between species, scientists can very accurately classify them according to their common ancestors. A common ancestor is a species that lived long ago and split off into two or more new species.
Looking at DNA has clarified relationships between organisms, causing many changes to the way organisms are now classified, such as the shark and dolphin above. Right now, this is our best way to classify organisms.
Looking at DNA has clarified relationships between organisms, causing many changes to the way organisms are now classified, such as the shark and dolphin above. Right now, this is our best way to classify organisms.
Like all science, taxonomy is ever-changing. As new species are discovered and new relationships are established, taxonomists must change the system and re-classify organisms according to the new information.
Like all science, taxonomy is ever-changing. As new species are discovered and new relationships are established, taxonomists must change the system and re-classify organisms according to the new information.
Select one correct answer, then explain why each other answer is incorrect.
Select one correct answer, then explain why each other answer is incorrect.
An important feature of modern classification systems is that they --
An important feature of modern classification systems is that they --
a. can incorporate new scientific discoveries
a. can incorporate new scientific discoveries
b. can predict the discovery of new species
b. can predict the discovery of new species
c. apply only to organisms that are alive today
c. apply only to organisms that are alive today
d. group organisms that live in the same habitat
d. group organisms that live in the same habitat
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