Modern developments in classification systems

• Living things are classified using a system developed by Carl Linnaeus
• Organisms are commonly named by the binomial system of genus and species
• Technology associated with biology has advanced throughout the years, enhancing the current classification system
• Microscopes allowed cells to be examined in more detail, distinguishing organelles within individual cells for a more scientific approach of classification
• Biochemistry and DNA evidence have clarified ambiguities within the classification system
• Classification systems have been developed by other scientists, such as Carl Woese who developed the three-domain system
• The three-domain system divides organisms into Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukaryota
• Evolutionary trees represent relationships between organisms
• Tips of the tree represent different species, while branches joining represent a common ancestor
• Evolutionary trees can be created using DNA sequences to examine differences at a DNA level that may have led to evolutionary splits millions of years ago