Transcript Classifying Organisms - Robert P. Brabham Middle School

Classifying Organisms
Why do scientists classify?
What are the levels of classification?
How are taxonomic keys useful?
How are evolution and classification related?
Classification
 Textbook
definition:
 The
process of grouping together things
based on their similarities.
 In
Ms. Anderson’s words
 Similar
things grouped together
In my words
My Drawing
Taxonomy
 Textbook
definition:
 The
scientific study of how living things are
classified.
 In
Ms. Anderson’s words:
 Study
of similar things grouped together
In my words
My Drawing
Binomial Nomenclature


Textbook definition:
 The system for naming organisms in which each
organism is given a unique, two part scientific
name indicating its genus and species.
In Ms. Anderson’s words:
 Two Names
In my words
My Drawing
Genus
 Textbook
definition:
A
classification grouping that consists of a
number of similar, closely related species.
 In
Ms. Anderson’s words:
 Similar,
closely related
In my words
My Drawing
Species
 Textbook
definition:
A
group of similar organisms that can mate
with each other and produce offspring that
can also mate and reproduce.
 In
Ms. Anderson’s words:
 Very
similar, can have fertile offspring
In my words
My Drawing
Evolution
 Textbook
definition:
 The
process by which species gradually
change over time.
 In
Ms. Anderson’s words:
 Organisms
In my words
changing over time.
My Drawing
Scientific Names
Italics or underline
Genus - Capitalized
Species - Lower Case
 Perognathus
californicus
 Perognathus
nelsoni
 Perognathus
spinatus
Common Name:
Pocket mouse
Classifying Organisms
 Use
the textbook pictures, textbook
definitions, Ms. Anderson’s ideas to
write definitions in your own words and
to create a drawing to help you
remember the definition.