Science--Classification Flashcards
How many kinds of organisms have been identified?
Over one million
What do biologists organize living things into so they are easier to study?
Groups
What is classification?
The process of grouping things based on their similarities.
Define taxonomy
The scientific study of how living things are classified.
What is a taxonomist?
A scientist who studies and classifies the diversity of life.
What scientist created the system for naming organisms that is still used today?
Carolus Linnaeus
What did Linnaeus base his groups of organisms on?
Observable features
What did Linnaeus give each organism?
A two-part scientific name
What is binomial nomenclature?
A two-part naming system created by Linnaeus
Define binomial
Two names
Define Nomenclature
Naming system
What makes up an organism’s scientific name?
Genus and species
House cat
Felis domesticus
What does Homo sapien mean?
Wise man
Define Genus
A grouping based on similar, closely-related organisms
Give an example of a Genus
Felis - house cats, pumas, and marbled cats.
Define Species
A group of similar organisms that can mate with each other and produce offspring that can mate and reproduce
What is the scientific name of a Puma?
Felis concolor
What is the scientific name of a marbled cat?
Felis marmorata
What is the scientific name of a house cat?
Felis domesticus
How are scientific names written?
1 - italics 2 - only the first letter of the first word is capitalized
What language is used in classification?
Latin
What are 3 common names for a Marmota monax
(1) Woodchuck (2) Groundhog (3) Whistle Pig
What is the mnemonic for the 8 levels of classification
Did King Philip Come Over For Good Soup
