Biological Classification

What is Biological Classification?

• The process of grouping living organisms based on their shared characteristics and evolutionary relationships
• Also known as taxonomy

Importance of Biological Classification

• Helps in identification and naming of organisms
• Understands evolutionary relationships between organisms
• Essential for conservation, medicine, and agriculture

Hierarchy of Classification

• Domain
  • Highest rank in classification
  • Divided into Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya
• Kingdom
  • Divided into six kingdoms: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, Protista, Chromista, and Monera
• Phylum (or Division in Plantae)
  • Divided into classes
• Class
  • Divided into orders
• Order
  • Divided into families
• Family
  • Divided into genera
• Genus
  • Divided into species
• Species
  • Most specific rank in classification

Types of Classification

• Artificial Classification
  • Based on visible characteristics
  • Example: classification of organisms based on their habitat (e.g., aquatic, terrestrial)
• Natural Classification
  • Based on evolutionary relationships and morphology
  • Example: classification of organisms based on their body structure (e.g., vertebrates, invertebrates)

Binomial Nomenclature

• System of naming organisms using a two-part name (genus and species)
• Genus name capitalized, species name not capitalized
• Example: Homo sapiens (human)

Characteristics Used in Classification

• Morphological characters (body structure)
• Anatomical characters (internal structure)
• Physiological characters (functions and processes)
• Embryological characters (developmental stages)
• Molecular characters (DNA and protein sequences)

Challenges in Biological Classification

• Dealing with vast number of species
• Difficulty in classifying extinct species
• Ongoing research and new discoveries leading to changes in classification

Biological Classification

• Biological classification is the process of grouping living organisms based on their shared characteristics and evolutionary relationships, also known as taxonomy.

Importance of Biological Classification

• Helps in identification and naming of organisms
• Understands evolutionary relationships between organisms
• Essential for conservation, medicine, and agriculture

Hierarchy of Classification

Domain

• Highest rank in classification
• Divided into three domains: Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya

Kingdom

• Divided into six kingdoms: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, Protista, Chromista, and Monera

Ranks in Classification

• Phylum (or Division in Plantae)
• Class
• Order
• Family
• Genus
• Species
  • Most specific rank in classification

Types of Classification

Artificial Classification

• Based on visible characteristics
• Example: classification of organisms based on their habitat (e.g., aquatic, terrestrial)

Natural Classification

• Based on evolutionary relationships and morphology
• Example: classification of organisms based on their body structure (e.g., vertebrates, invertebrates)

Binomial Nomenclature

• System of naming organisms using a two-part name (genus and species)
• Genus name capitalized, species name not capitalized
• Example: Homo sapiens (human)

Characteristics Used in Classification

• Morphological characters (body structure)
• Anatomical characters (internal structure)
• Physiological characters (functions and processes)
• Embryological characters (developmental stages)
• Molecular characters (DNA and protein sequences)

Challenges in Biological Classification

• Dealing with a vast number of species
• Difficulty in classifying extinct species
• Ongoing research and new discoveries leading to changes in classification