Organisms and Classification

Organisms and Biological Classification

Organism: An organism is any living thing. All living things:

1. Are structured around the most basic living unit: a cell
2. Grow, change, and develop
3. Respond to stimuli.
   1. Stimuli: Anything that causes a reaction in organisms, such as sunlight, temperature, or other environmental factors.
4. Consume energy in order to live
5. Reproduce

Classification

Scientists classify organisms by their structure and how closely related they are. They arrange them into groups and categories based on the features they have in common.

Classification Hierarchy

Scientists place organisms in broad to specific categories. Here is the order from broadest grouping to the most specific grouping: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.

To remember the classification system, use this: Dear King Philip Came Over For Great Spaghetti. (Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species).

Binomial Nomenclature

Carolus Linnaeus developed a system to classify organisms using Latin and binomial nomenclature, which just means ‘a name with two terms’. The first word of the term defines genus, which is the smallest group of similar species, and the second word defines the species itself. Binomial nomenclature is like a first and last name. It helps scientists from any country in the world know which organisms have what characteristics.