Class Notes 1: Linnaean Classification

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Class Notes 1Linnaean Classification
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I. Classification A. Organisms can be classified
based on physical similarities.
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B. Linnaeus developed the scientific naming
system still used today.

• 1. Taxonomy is the science of naming and
  classifying organisms.

White oakQuercus alba
2. A taxon is a group of organisms in a
classification system.
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• C. Binomial nomenclature is a two-part scientific
  naming system.

1. uses Latin words 2. scientific names always
written in italics 3. two parts are the genus
name and species descriptor
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D. A genus includes one or more physically
similar species.
1. Species in the same genus are thought to be
closely related. 2. Genus name is always
capitalized. E. A species descriptor is the
second part of a scientific name. 1. always
lowercase 2. always follows genusname never
written alone
Tyto alba
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II. Linnaeus classification system has seven
levels.

• A. Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus,
  species.

B. Levels get increasingly specific from kingdom
to species.
C. System is limited because it is based only on
physical similarities.
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Summary

• What are the 2 parts in binomial nomenclature?
  What are the 7 levels of Linnaean nomenclature?
  What is the most general? What is the most
  specific?