classification

    Cards (13)

    • Classification
      The organisation of organisms into groups
    • Taxonomy
      The classification of organisms into taxa: kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species
    • Five kingdoms
      • Animals
      • Plants
      • Fungi
      • Protists
      • Prokaryotes
    • As you move down the hierarchy of taxa
      The number of organisms in each taxon group decreases
    • Traditionally, organisms were grouped based on similarities and differences in their anatomy and behaviour
    • Organisms that are not closely related may look alike and behave similarly if they live in the same environment e.g. sharks and dolphins
    • Some closely related species may look very different if they live in different habitats e.g. queen ants, worker ants
    • Advancements in science that have led to reconsidering the five kingdoms classification system
      • Microscopes
      • Biochemistry
      • DNA and RNA analysis
    • Three domains system of classification
      Organisms are initially divided into three groups: Archaea, Bacteria, Eukarya. Then kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species.
    • Eukaryotic organisms belong to the domain Eukarya
    • Prokaryotic organisms belong to the domains Archaea and Bacteria
    • Domain Bacteria
      Consists of true bacteria e.g. E.coli
    • Domain Archaea
      Consists of primitive microorganisms, contains extremophiles - adapted to live in extreme conditions e.g. hot springs
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