Biological Taxonomy Overview

Biological Taxonomy Overview

• Taxonomy is the science of classifying living organisms into hierarchical categories.
• The three-domain system of taxonomy includes Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya, established by Carl Woese.

Domain

• The highest taxonomic rank in the biological classification system.
• Represents broadest groupings of life forms.

Kingdom

• Ranks above phylum in Linnean taxonomy.
• Traditionally divides life into five kingdoms: prokaryotes, protists, fungi, plants, and animals.

Phylum

• A principal category in taxonomy ranking above class and below kingdom.
• Groups organisms sharing significant anatomical and genetic traits.

Class

• A taxonomic rank within biological classification.
• Positioned between phylum and order in the classification hierarchy.

Order

• A rank in biological classification, falling between class and family.
• Recognized by nomenclature codes to categorize organisms.

Family

• One of the eight major taxonomic ranks in biological classification.
• Positioned between order and genus, can be subdivided into subfamilies.

Genus

• A taxonomic category below family and above species.
• Comprises groups of species that share structural similarities or common ancestry.

Species

• The fundamental taxonomic category representing closely related organisms.
• Typically capable of interbreeding to produce fertile offspring, ranking below genus.