Biodiversity-

Classification
Lecture by
Saba Farooq
For Grade 8
Classification-Aims and Principles
 Dissimilar forms of organisms.
 Over 1.5 million types of animals and over 0.5
million types of plants
 Each having its own way of life.

 Biological classification is a method by which

biologists divide organisms into groups and sub
groups.
Branches that deals with Classification
Systematics Taxonomy

Evolutionary history Classification

Closely related similarities

DNA(genetic information) differences

Basis of Classification
 Relationship amongst organisms and such
relationships is got through similarities in
characteristics.
 Similarities in external, internal features and
stages of development.
 Also similarities and differences in the DNA of
two organisms helps in understanding the
similarities and differences in their structures and
functions.
Aims of classification
 the main aims of both the branches of biology
dealing with classification are:
 To determine similarities and differences among
organisms so that they can be studied easily.

 To find the evolutionary relationships among

organisms.
 Taxonomic Hierarchy
 The World
group into which Kingdom
the organisms are Continents Phylum
classified are known
as Taxonomic
categories or taxa. Countries
Class
Cities Order
 TAXA forms a ladder
called “hierarchy”
 All organisms are Sectors Family
divided into 5 Houses Genus Species
kingdoms.
Examples of Hierarchy
TAXA Human Pea
Kingdom Animalia Plantae
Phylum Chordata Magnoliophyta
Class Mammalia Magnoliopsida
Order Primates Febales
Family Hominidae Fabaceae
Genus Homo Pisum
Species H.sapiens P.sativum
Species
 Basic unit of classification
“A group of organisms which can interbreed freely
among them and produce fertile offspring, but are
reproductively isolated from all other such groups in
nature”