, Classification of living
organisms
There are more than 1.8 million kinds of living organisms, we must
therefore have a meaningful way of classifying, identifying and naming
them. Aristotle (384-322 BC) a Greek philosopher was the first to make
attempt to classify living organisms. The present method of classifying
and naming organisms is based on the work of Carolus Linnaeus (1707-
1778) a Swedish naturalist.
The study of natural general principles of classification is known as
Taxonomy. Taxonomy is the science of arranging living things into
groups based on structural, genetic or cellular organization.
Taxonomic Grouping
Living are first separated into large groups called Kingdom. The division
of Kingdom into smaller groups is called Phylum (Phyla). The term
Division rather than phylum is usually used for plants. Phylum is divided
into smaller groups called Classes. Each class is further divided into
Orders. Orders are further divided into Families. Family is again divided
into Genus (Genera). A genus is broke into Species.
For easy memorization.
Kids prefer candy over fresh green salad.
Kids Kingdom
Bright Scholar
, Prefer Phylum
Candy Class
Over Order
Fresh Family
GreenGenus
SaladSpecies
Binomial Nomenclature
The system of giving two names to an organism is known Binomial
Nomenclature and it was developed by a Swedish botanist called
Carolus Linnaeus in the 18th century.
• The first name is the name of the genus to which the organism
belongs to.
• The second name is the name of the specie to which it belongs.
Both names are written in italics with only the genus name having
an initial capital letter.
Example:
• Zea mays is the scientific name for maize.
• Loxodonta Africana for African elephant.
• Homo sapien is man.
Kingdoms
Linnaeus placed all living organisms into two kingdoms: Plants and
Animals.
Classification of Living Organisms — Completed Study Notes
organisms
There are more than 1.8 million kinds of living organisms, we must
therefore have a meaningful way of classifying, identifying and naming
them. Aristotle (384-322 BC) a Greek philosopher was the first to make
attempt to classify living organisms. The present method of classifying
and naming organisms is based on the work of Carolus Linnaeus (1707-
1778) a Swedish naturalist.
The study of natural general principles of classification is known as
Taxonomy. Taxonomy is the science of arranging living things into
groups based on structural, genetic or cellular organization.
Taxonomic Grouping
Living are first separated into large groups called Kingdom. The division
of Kingdom into smaller groups is called Phylum (Phyla). The term
Division rather than phylum is usually used for plants. Phylum is divided
into smaller groups called Classes. Each class is further divided into
Orders. Orders are further divided into Families. Family is again divided
into Genus (Genera). A genus is broke into Species.
For easy memorization.
Kids prefer candy over fresh green salad.
Kids Kingdom
Bright Scholar
, Prefer Phylum
Candy Class
Over Order
Fresh Family
GreenGenus
SaladSpecies
Binomial Nomenclature
The system of giving two names to an organism is known Binomial
Nomenclature and it was developed by a Swedish botanist called
Carolus Linnaeus in the 18th century.
• The first name is the name of the genus to which the organism
belongs to.
• The second name is the name of the specie to which it belongs.
Both names are written in italics with only the genus name having
an initial capital letter.
Example:
• Zea mays is the scientific name for maize.
• Loxodonta Africana for African elephant.
• Homo sapien is man.
Kingdoms
Linnaeus placed all living organisms into two kingdoms: Plants and
Animals.
Classification of Living Organisms — Completed Study Notes
