1.2 Classification systems

• Organisms are classified into groups by the features they share.
• Species are a group of organisms which can reproduce to produce fertile offspring.
• The sequence of classification for organisms is: Kingdom → Phylum → Classes → Orders → Families → Genus → Species.
• The Binomial System of Naming Species is an internationally agreed system in which the scientific name of an organism comprises two parts showing the genus and species.
• The format of the scientific name is Genus species.
• Must be Italianized in print but underlined when written.
• The classification of organisms helps show the evolutionary relationships between them.
• The similarity in DNA chains shows how closely related two organisms are.
• Dichotomous keys use visible features to classify organisms.
• Dichotomous keys give you a choice of two features, and you follow the one that applies: each option in a dichotomous key leads to another option until the organism is narrowed down to its genus and species.
• Morphology: The overall form and shape of their bodies
• Anatomy: The detailed body structure, which could be determined by dissection.
• Genus is when several species with similar characteristics are grouped into a larger group.