The scientific study of the diversity of organisms and their evolutionary relationships
Taxonomy
A component of systematics focusing on the theory and practice of classification, involving the naming of organisms (nomenclature)
Classification
Arranging organisms into groups based on their similarities, which reflect evolutionary relationships among lineages
Types of classification systems
Artificial Classification System
Natural Classification System (Phenetic, Phylogenetic)
Dendogram
A branching diagram representing a hierarchy of categories based on degree of similarity or number of shared characteristics
Cladogram
A branching tree-like diagram used to illustrate evolutionary (phylogenetic) relationships among organisms, where each node indicates evolutionary divergence from a common ancestor
Taxonomy
The science of finding, describing, classifying and naming organisms, including studying the relationships between taxa and the principles underlying such a classification
Linnaean system of classification
A hierarchical classification system and a system of binomial nomenclature (a 2-part naming method) developed by Carolus Linnaeus in the 1700s
Improved technologies have enabled scientists to re-examine the relationships between organisms to refine the classification system
Binomial system
Names an organism using its genus and species, using Latin words
Five kingdoms in the classification system
Animals
Plants
Fungi
Prokaryotes
Protista
Taxonomic ranks
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Dichotomous key
A key constructed using contrasting characteristics to divide organisms into smaller and smaller groups, where each choice eliminates some possibilities until the identity is determined
Aristotle outlined the scientific classification of animals by observing features to classify them
