Classify Organisms Qand A
- 1. Classification Carolus Linnaeus, a Swedish naturalist, developed a new system of grouping organisms that was accepted and used by most scientists. His classification system was based on looking for organisms with similar structures. Linnaeus also developed a scientific naming system that is still used today.
- 2. Binomial Nomenclature The two-word naming system that Linnaeus used to name various organisms is called binomial nomenclature (bi NOH mee ul · NOH mun klay chur). This two-word name is an organism’s species.
- 3. Binomial Nomenclature The first word of the two-word name identifies the genus of the organism. A genus is a group of similar species. The second word of the name usually describes a feature. Ambystoma genus tigrinum feature
- 4. Uses of Scientific Names Scientific names are used for four reasons. First, they help avoid mistakes. Often, common names for two different organisms are the same. Scientific names help distinguish between those organisms.
- 5. Uses of Scientific Names Second, organisms with similar evolutionary histories are classified together. Third, scientific names give descriptive information about the species. Fourth, scientific names allow information about organisms to be organized easily and efficiently.
- 6. Uses of Scientific Names The classification of the bottle-nosed dolphin shows that it is in the order Cetacea.
- 7. Modern Classification Like Linnaeus, modern scientists use similarities in structure to classify organisms . They also study fossils, hereditary information, and early stages of development.
- 8. Modern Classification Phylogeny (fi LAH juh nee) is the evolutionary history of an organism, that is, how the organism has changed over time. Today, it is the basis for the classification of many organisms. In the classification system used today, the smallest group is a species . There are broader groups preceding species, the largest of which is a kingdom .
- 9. Modern Classification Some scientists have proposed that before organisms are grouped into kingdoms, they should be placed in larger groups called domains. One proposed system groups all organisms into three domains.
- 10. Tools for Identifying Organisms Scientists use field guides and dichotomous (di KAH tuh mus) keys to identify organisms. A dichotomous key is a detailed list of identifying characteristics that includes scientific names.
- 11. MULTIPLE CHOICE 1. ___ PHYLOGENY TELLS A. How an organism is different from other organisms. B. How an organism has changed over time C. How an organism received its two part scientific name D. How Linnaeus started binomial nomenclature. B
- 12. MULTIPLE CHOICE 2. ___ The smallest group in the classification system used today is called a A. Family B. Genus C. Kingdom D. Species D
- 13. MULTIPLE CHOICE 3. ___ Linnaeus developed a system of grouping organisms that was accepted by most scientists. He grouped organisms with _______ together. A. Dichotomous keys B. Similar structures C. Similar fossils D. Similar hereditary information B
- 14. MULTIPLE CHOICE 4. ___ Organisms that can mate and reproduce fertile offspring belong to the same ______ A. Species B. Genus C. Kingdom D. Domain A
- 15. SHORT ANSWER 5. What is binomial nomenclature? Answer A two word naming system that Linnaeus used to name organisms and is now used in modern classification
- 16. 6. Explain three reasons scientific names are useful Answer Any 3: 1) They help avoid mistakes and confusion since each scientific name refers to only one kind of organism. 2) They help show which organisms are related because organisms with similar evolutionary histories are grouped together. 3) They give descriptive information about species. 4) They allow information about organisms to be organized easily and efficiently