NOTES

taxonomy date: April 27

Genetic Diversity: It's not just important for adaptation but also for ensuring
the long-term survival of a species by providing the raw material for natural
selection.

Importance of Biodiversity: It's highlighted through various aspects such as

the provision of resources like fresh water and food, regulation of services
like erosion, and the support of multiple life forms through nutrient cycling
and habitat availability.

Syilx siwik™ Strategy: It emphasizes the importance of water (siwik) and

equality among all forms of life, reflecting a holistic approach to biodiversity
conservation.

Taxonomy: It's crucial for organizing the vast diversity of life on Earth,
enabling scientists to understand relationships between organisms and
study their characteristics

Aristotle, an ancient Greek thinker, is known for his early attempts at

categorizing living organisms into plants and animals. His classifications
were based on observable characteristics and habitat, setting the stage for
future advancements in taxonomy.

Carolus Linnaeus, an 18th-century Swedish botanist, is credited as the

"father of taxonomy" for introducing binomial nomenclature and a
hierarchical classification system based on structural similarities.

Taxonomy is a system that categorizes and organizes living organisms

based on their shared characteristics and evolutionary relationships. It
involves hierarchical groupings, from broad categories like domains and
kingdoms to specific classifications like genus and species.

Species Concept: The text discusses the challenges of defining a species,

especially in cases of asexual reproduction or fossil records, highlighting
the complexity of biological classification.
Binomial Nomenclature: Besides accurately naming organisms, it also
prevents confusion and misnomers, ensuring consistency in scientific
communication.

Classification Principles: They're based not only on structural similarities

but also on biochemical composition, behaviour, and reproductive
isolation, providing insights into evolutionary relationships.

Dichotomous Keys: These keys are practical tools used by scientists to

identify organisms based on observable characteristics, facilitating
classification and taxonomy.

Kingdoms and Domains: The classification system has evolved to include

kingdoms and domains, reflecting advancements in our understanding
of the diversity of life and its evolutionary history.

The Tree of Life: It serves as a visual representation of the evolutionary

relationships among all living organisms, illustrating the
interconnectedness and shared ancestry of life on Earth.

domain
kingdom
phylum
class
order
family
genus
species