Classification in Biology
Taxonomy
All living things (organisms) have seven characteristics in common. They all:
1. Reproduce- produce an offspring (organism of its own kind)
2. Feed/need nutrients- make their own food (plants), or consume readymade food as a source of energy
3. Respire- release energy from food with the aid/use of oxygen
4. Grow- increase in size by getting taller or wider
5. Excrete- get rid of unwanted substances
6. Move- plants move parts of themselves while animals often move from place to place
7. Sensitive- plants and animals react to changes in the environment.
Although all organisms have these characteristics, there are differences amongst them that enable them to be classified differently.
Biological classification was originated in the work of the Swedish naturalist Carolus Linnaeus, where classifications were done based on shared physical characteristics. The science of classifying into ordered systems that indicate a natural relationship is known as taxonomy. Taxonomy involves the naming of organisms and placing these organisms into relevant groups based on their similarities. The taxonomic classifications are as follows:
- Kingdom
- Phyla (Phylum)
- Class
- Order
- Family
- Genera (genus)
- Species
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