Basic Taxonomic Concept & Principles, Description, Nomenclature, Identification & Classification

Basic Taxonomic Concept &
Principles, Description,
Nomenclature, Identification &
Classification
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand how & why biologists classify organisms

2. Describe the background of the modern classification system
3. Identify & describe the basic characteristics & life processes of
representative organisms in the major taxonomic categories
Taxonomy
-deals with the identification & naming
(nomenclature) of organisms; began with ancient
Greeks & Romans
Nomenclature
-the orderly application of binomial names to a
particular taxon (taxonomic group)
Identification
-recognition of certain distinguishing characters
of the plant specimens; results in the comparison
of the specimen with similar specimens
Classification
-arrangement of plants into groups having
common characteristics; results in the placing of
plants into a hierarchy of ranks or categories.
Aristotle- a Greek philosopher, classified
organisms with erythrocytes (RBC) & those
without; plants & animals according to their
physical characteristics, such as size & features.
And because of his contribution, he was called
the “Father of Biology”
Carl Von Linne
-born in May 1707 in Southern Sweden

-received medical degree in 1735 from University
of Harderwijk in Netherlands
-“Father of Modern Taxonomy”
-published several books & papers including
Systema Naturae, Fundamenta Botanica &
Genera Plantarum
-classified plants based on number, arrangement &
length of stamens
-introduced the used of binomial system of
nomenclature for all species
-converted his name to a two-part Latin version,
Carolus Linnaeus
-published 2-volume set of Species Plantarum in
1753 which included 7,300 kinds of plants
-credited with naming approximately 12,000 plants
& animals
-died January 1778 after suffering several strokes
Three (3) Kingdom (Domain) System
-proposed by German scientist, Ernst Haeckel
(1866) adding kingdom Protista (simple algae & fungi,
slime mold & bacteria) for unicellular organisms.
1. Archaea (bacteria-like organisms)

-any group of single-celled prokaryotic organisms
that have distinct molecular characteristics separating
them from bacteria as well as eukaryotes.
Actual Prokaryotic Cells
2. Bacteria (true bacteria)
-a member of a large group of unicellular microorganisms
which have cell walls but lack organelles and an organized
nucleus, including some that can cause disease.
3. Eukarya (protists, fungi, plants & animals)

-any of a domain (Eukarya) or a higher taxonomic group
(Eukaryota) above the kingdom that includes organisms composed
of one or more cells containing visibly evident nuclei & organelles.
True Bacteria
Eukarya (Protista, Fungi, Plants & Animals)
Five (5) Kingdom System
-proposed by American biologist, Robert H.
Whittaker (1957) revised the earlier arrangements
into five kingdoms: Monera (bacteria), Protista
(algae), Fungi, Plantae & Animalia
-unnatural & not based on phylogeny
(evolutionary development & diversification of a species or group of
organisms)
-criteria used in classification are types of cells (prokaryote &
eukaryote), mode of nutrition (autotrophs & heterotrophs) motility &
life cycles
-most commonly used, especially for academic purposes
Criteria for the five-kingdom classification
Bases of Monerans Protists Fungi Plants Animals

Comparison
Type of Cells Prokaryote Eukaryotic Eukaryotic Eukaryotic Eukaryotic
Complexity Unicellular Mostly Mostly Multicellular Multicellular

unicellular unicelluar
Mode of Autotrophic Photosynthetic Heterotrophic Photosynthetic Heterotrophic
Nutrition Heterotrophic Heterotrophic by absorption by ingestion
Motility Some by flagella Some by flagella Non motile Non motile Motile by
Some by cilia muscle fibers
Life cycle Asexual Various Haplontic Alternation of Diplontic
generation
Nerve fibers No Generally no No No Generally yes
Haplontic- having a life cycle in which the main form is haploid,
with a diploid zygote being formed only briefly.
Diplontic- having a life cycle in which the main form, except for
the gametes is diploid
Taxonomic Categories
-the group of organisms in a particular category is

called a taxon.
-each of the category could be subdivided into
three additional categories as in superorder, order,
suborder & infra-order.
Domain- the highest taxonomic rank.
Kingdom-a taxonomic rank that is composed of smaller groups called phyla
(division in plants).
Phylum- a level of classification or taxonomic rank below kingdom above class.
Class- major taxonomic rank below the phylum and above the order.
Order- a taxonomic rank used in the classification of organisms and recognized by
nomenclature codes
Family
Genus- biological classification ranking between family and species consisting of
structurally or phylogenetically related species or a single isolated species
exhibiting unusual differentiation.
Species- classification comprising related organisms that share common
characteristics and are capable of interbreeding (epithet)
Scientific Name- pertains to the binomial name given to a particular species
The Seven Obligatory Hierarchical Categories
Domain- the highest taxonomic rank

Kingdom (Division in Plants)- composed of several phyla (division)
Phylum (Division in Plants)- composed of several classes
Class- composed of several orders
Order- composed of several families
Family- composed of several genera
Genera- composed of several species
Species- composed of several varieties
Ex. Classification of Human
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Superclass: Tetrapoda
Class: Mammalia
Subclass: Theria
Infraclass: Eutheria
Order: Primates
Suborder: Anthropoidea
Superfamily: Homonoidea
Family: Homonidae
Genus: Homo
Species: sapiens
Scientific Name: Homo sapiens
The different levels of classification are analogous to a postal
address. First, a letter address to a particular person will be
sorted by country, then by province, followed by municipality and
by district or barangay. The mailman then find the street and
house number until it reaches the recipient.
Name: Eric Ver
Kingdom: Philippines
Phylum: Cavite
Class: Imus
Order: Bahayang Pag-asa Phase 3A/ Brgy. Mariano Espeleta-1
Family: 23 Bautista
Genus: Ver
Species: eric
Scientific Name: Ver eric
Scientific Name
-a binomial nomenclature given to a particular species

-composed of the generic name (genus) and species epithet
-should be treated in Latin or should be Latinized
-should be underlined separately or italicized
-Latin is used to avoid jealousy among scientific community
-should follow the rules & recommendations set by the
International Code of Botanical & Zoological Nomenclature (ICBN
or ICZN)
-the universal standard name for any organism
Why Latin?
1. Latin is the most common language used & understood by

many biologists.
2. Latin words are more descriptive
3. Many modern languages have words of Latin origin
4. To avoid confusion
Example of organisms and their scientific name
Domestic Cat- Felis domesticus

Dog- Canis familiaris
Domestic Chicken- Gallus gallus domesticus
Domesticated Pig- Sus scrofa
Domesticated Cow- Bos Taurus
Carabao- Bubalus bubalis
Goat- Capra hircus
Milkfish- Chanos chanos
Whale- Balaenoptera musculus
Shark- Squalus acanthias
Prawn- Penaeus monodon
Frog- Rana magna
Toad- Bufo marinus
Horse- Equus caballus
Zebra- Equus quagga
Owl- Bubo virginiatus
Turkey- Meleagris gallopavo
Cockroach- Periplanet americanus
Housefly- Musca domestica
Fruitfly- Drosophila melanogaster
Pork Tapeworm- Taenia solium
Beef Tapeworm- Taenia saginata
Earthworm- Lumbricus terrestris
Garden Snail- Helix aspersa
Medicinal Leech- Hirudo medicinalis
Tomato- Solanum lycopersicum
Talong- Solanum melongena
Potato- Solanum tuberosum
Coconut- Coco nucifera
Onion- Allium cepa
Garlic- Allium sativum
Bitter Gourd (bittermelon/ampalaya)- Momordica charantia
Sponge Gourd (patola)- Luffa aegyptica
Bottle Gourd (upo)- Lagenaria siceraria
String Beans- Vigna unguiculata
Raddish- Raphanus sativus
Squash- Cucurbita maxima
Lady Finger- Abelmoschus esculentus
Calamansi- Citrofortunella microcarpa
Mango- Mangifera indica
Rice- Oryza sativa
Corn- Zea mays (maize)
Ginger- Zingiber officinale
Carrot- Daucus carota
Guava- Psidium guajava
Rose- Rosa sinensis
Sunflower- Heliantus anuus
Swamp cabbage- Ipomeae aquatica (kangkong)
Sweet potato- Ipomeae batatas
Sensitive Mimosa- Mimosa pudica
Merry Black Widow Spider- Latrodectus mactans
Seahorse- Hippocampus

Basic Taxonomic Concept & Principles, Description, Nomenclature, Identification & Classification

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Basic Taxonomic Concept & Principles, Description, Nomenclature, Identification & Classification

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Basic Taxonomic Concept & Principles, Description, Nomenclature, Identification & Classification

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Basic Taxonomic Concept &

1. Understand how & why biologists classify organisms

-born in May 1707 in Southern Sweden

1. Archaea (bacteria-like organisms)

3. Eukarya (protists, fungi, plants & animals)

Bases of Monerans Protists Fungi Plants Animals

Complexity Unicellular Mostly Mostly Multicellular Multicellular

-the group of organisms in a particular category is

Domain- the highest taxonomic rank

-a binomial nomenclature given to a particular species

1. Latin is the most common language used & understood by

Domestic Cat- Felis domesticus

You might also like