Classification of living organisms

Classification – process by which living things are placed into groups depending on their structure & characteristics in a system

Linnean system (Carl Linnaeus)

  • Linnean system – Dear Kate Please Come Over For Great Spagetti)

Describe the impact of developments in biology on classification systems

  • Improvements in microscope
  • Better understanding of biochemical process
  • Evidence of internal structures become more developed
  • New models of classification proposed

Three-domain system’ (Carl Woese)

  • Archaea – primitive bacteria usually living in extreme environments
  • Bacteria – true bacteria
  • Eukaryota – includes protists, fungi, plants and animals

Evolutionary trees

  • A method used by scientists to show how they believe organisms are related
  • Use current classification data for living organisms & fossil data for extinct organism