The Nature of

Classification
Classification - Warm-up Slide
Read pages 14-19 in textbook
Three critical questions to think of:
1. What things do we classify?
2. Why is classification important?
3. How would you organize a Lego collection (size,
colour, shape, set)?
One other question:
● Who are some people doing good in the world
that teachers may not know about?
Biological Classifications
• We use classifications in everyday life
• Important because it makes it easier to
find and understand what someone else
is talking about
• Biological Classifications- the
systematic grouping of organisms into
categories based on physical and
evolutionary relationships
• Common Examples: mammal, reptile,
carnivore, herbivore, etc
Taxonomy
• Taxonomy- the science of
classifying all organisms;
taxonomists classify both living and
fossil species.
• Biologists use observed
characteristics such as morphology,
behaviour, and geographic location
• Identifying can be harder than you
think
• Cat vs Dog
• Snake vs Snake
 Taxonomy
• Biologists now use DNA from organisms
and fossils to determine a species

• All species have a unique and characteristic

genetic makeup

• However, identify organisms by DNA in the

field is not always practical or cost efficient

• Scientists need a general classification

system to organize all living things and fossil
species
Early Classification Systems
• Since the beginning of time, we have classified plants and animals.
• Why?
• We decided to use scientist names for different species.
• Why?
• Carl Linneaus (1707-1778)- developed a consistent way of
grouping species based on morphological similarities.

• Genus- a taxonomic level consisting of a group of similar species.

Ex. Canis = dog
• Species- a taxonomic level consisting of similar organisms capable
of sharing their genetic information and interbreeding
Ex. lupus= wolf
Binomial Nomenclature
• The formal system of naming species whereby each species is
assigned a genus name followed by a specific name.

Ex.
Tiger= Panthera tigris
Lion= Panthera leo
Polar Bear= Ursus maritimus
Koala= Phascolarctos cinereus
Western Gorilla = Gorilla gorilla
Eastern Gorilla = Gorilla beringei
Taxonomic Level
• Eight taxon
(single level)

• Domain (most
diverse)

• Species
(least
diverse)

• Homo sapien
Taxonomic Level
 Dichotomous Keys
Biologists use dichotomous keys to identify
organisms.

• A structure in which a large set of

items is broken down into smaller
subsets, ultimately leading to the
smallest available classification unit
• At each step, users must choose
between two defining statements with
each alternative leading to a result or
another choice
Dichotomous Keys
• Scientists struggle with decided and agreeing Ex. Horseshoe Crab
is more closely
what criteria to use to define each taxon. related to spiders
• Some organisms outward appearance suggest based on internal
one family, but their blood chemistry or structures and blood
internal structure indicate another chemistry
• Most modern taxonomists use the principle of
relatedness based on evolutionary history of a
species.
• However, many biologists still use the
traditional system.
Dichotomous Key Activity

Please complete:

● Shark Dichotomous Key Activity

Examples
 Homework:

● Complete Biodiversity textbook questions

if not yet completed

● Work on Building a Dichotomous Key

Minion Activity

● Watch Video:

● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpKul
kADzBk