Here are some things that

scientists classify or organize:

The elements
The human body

Interactions in
Ecosystems
 Scientists also Classify Living
Organisms

How could you classify these living things?

Quick, organize these living things
into groups:
Did you do it like this?
 Or this?

Are there any other ways to group

these living things?
The most basic classification system is based on Domains
and Kingdoms. Organisms are classified into Domains or
Kingdoms based on these characteristics:
1. Whether they are unicellular or multicellular
2. Whether they are prokaryotic or eukaryotic
3. Whether they have a cell wall or cell membrane
4. Whether they have membrane bound organelles
5. Whether they are autotrophic or heterotrophic
6. Whether they reproduce sexually or asexually
7. How they tolerate heat, salt, or other extreme
conditions
Basic Classification
Domains:
There are three Domains Archaea
of living organisms based
on their characteristics:

Archaea (also called

Archaebacteria)
Eubacteria
Eukaryota
Eubacteria (also
called Bacteria)

Eukaryota (also
called Eukarya)
Basic Classification
Kingdoms:
The Domains can also be split into Kingdoms which
further divide the organisms by their characteristics.
 Domain Archaea Aerial view of hot spring at Yellowstone

“Archaea” means “ancient” bacteria.

Organisms in Archaea are:
Unicellular
Prokaryotic
Autotrophic or heterotrophic
Organisms that reproduce asexually
Bacteria that have adapted to extreme environments.
Some can survive in extremely hot environments, like
around hot springs and geysers. They are called
thermophiles.
Some can survive in extremely salty environments, like
The Great Salt Lake in Utah. They are called halophiles.

The Domain Archaea has one Kingdom, also called

Archaea
This hot spring is flowing into the Firehole River in Yellowstone.
The colors are caused by different varieties of archaebacteria and
other microscopic life forms. Scientists can distinguish
temperatures of water by the colors present.
 Domain Eubacteria
“Eu” means “true” bacteria. They are:
Unicellular Many are common
Prokaryotic infectious agents.
Autotrophic or heterotrophic
Organisms that reproduce asexually
The most abundant organisms on
earth. One bacterium can give rise
to 10 million in 24 hours.
Found in almost every habitat on
earth.

The Domain Eubacteria has one

Kingdom, also called Eubacteria.
 This is a picture of bacteria on the skin. Bacteria can be shaped like a sphere
(cocci) like this picture, like a rod, or like a spiral. The structure in the middle of
this picture is a hair follicle with a hair growing out of it.
Terminology:

The Domains Archaea and Eubacteria are commonly

grouped together in discussion and called
prokaryotes because they lack membrane-bound
nuclei and membrane-bound organelles.

Nucleus
and
Organelles
Domain Eukaryota (Eukarya)
Eukaryotic
Very diverse
Unicellular or multicellular
Autotrophic or heterotrophic
Reproduce sexually or asexually
Can be split into 4 Kingdoms-
 Protista
 Fungi
 Plantae
 Animalia
 The 4 Kingdoms in Eukaryota
Protista Plantae
Mostly unicellular and microscopic Multicellular green plants
Autotrophic or heterotrophic Autotrophic through photosynthesis
Can be infectious agents Have a cell wall

Examples: Examples:
•Amoeba •Mosses
•Algae •Ferns
•Daphnia •Trees
•Plasmodium (causes malaria) •Flowering Plants
Fungi Animalia
Multicellular Multicellular Animals
Heterotrophic Heterotrophic
Decomposers No Cell Wall
Can be infectious agents
Examples:
Examples: •Insects
•Mushrooms •Spiders
•Athlete’s foot •Crabs
•Bread Mold •Birds
•Humans
D
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Think Break:
Where do Viruses fit in this classification system?

Where do Prions fit in this classification system?

How would you classify these?
A organism that can exist in extremely hot
temperatures and that is made of only one cell with
no nucleus
Domain: Archaea Kingdom: Archaea

A green organism growing from the ground that is

multicellular and that undergoes photosynthesis; its
cells have nuclei and cell walls
Domain: Eukaryota Kingdom: Plantae
Try two more:
This microscopic and one-celled organism lives in
colonies with millions of others like it. It does not
have a nucleus and cannot survive in extreme
conditions. It could be an infectious agent.
Domain: Eubacteria Kingdom: Eubacteria

This organism is a multicellular decomposer; its cells

have nuclei.
Domain: Eukaryota Kingdom: Fungi
Classification Systems Can Change!
Can you guess why?
Classification systems
change as new organisms
are discovered and as more
information is gained about
known living organisms.

Science is a “work in
progress” and things change
as new evidence is found.
Even though classification is not an
exact science, it is a part of almost
every aspect of our lives.

Which one would you choose? Why?