Standard 3.5.1-Explain the historical development and changing nature of classification systems
A taxonomist is a scientist that deals with the science of classifying organisms based on the levels of classification. The eight major classifications domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. These levels of classification are the result of the findings by a Greek Philosopher by the name of Aristotle (384-322 BCE). Aristotle grouped animals into air dwellers, land dwellers, and water dwellers. Aristotle also grouped plants into 3 different categories based on differences in stems. Carolus Linnaeus, a swedish botanist, ( 1707- 1778) devised the two part naming system we know as binomial nomenclature. Binomial nomenclature allows for an organism to be classified by a prefix meaning they belong to a specific Genus and a suffix determining which species they belong to.
The earliest classification systems were based on physical similarities that each organism had in common. Living in the 21st century, we base classifying new organisms on many different aspects of science. Taxonomist now group organisms
The classification system is continuously changing due to the new discoveries that taxonomist are making. The technology that is being used in the 21st century is allowing for closer comparisons of organisms. |
Standard 3.5.2- Analyze the classification of organisms according to their evolutionary relationships (including dichotomous keys and phylogenetic trees)
Phylogenetic trees classify an organism by similarities and differences among their physical and/ or genetic characteristics. Phylogenetic trees also allow someone to visually see a common ancestor when traced back a couple of million years ago...
Dichotomous keys can be described as a tool that is used to determine the name of an organism. It is used by answering each question and following the numbers that the key tells you to complete. After the key is completed it should lead you to a single organism based on observations.
Work Cited
"Dichotomous Keying." Dichotomous Keying. Web. 20 May 2015.
<http://www.biologyjunction.com/dichotomous_keying.htm>
"What Is Taxonomy?" What Is Taxonomy? Web. 20 May 2015. .
https://www.cbd.int/gti/taxonomy.shtml
"Citation Machine: MLA Format Citation Generator for Websites." Citation Machine: MLA Format Citation Generator for Websites. Web. 20 May 2015.
"Dichotomous Keying." Dichotomous Keying. Web. 20 May 2015.
<http://www.biologyjunction.com/dichotomous_keying.htm>
"What Is Taxonomy?" What Is Taxonomy? Web. 20 May 2015. .
https://www.cbd.int/gti/taxonomy.shtml
"Citation Machine: MLA Format Citation Generator for Websites." Citation Machine: MLA Format Citation Generator for Websites. Web. 20 May 2015.