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Classification Taxonomy (WHY WE CLASSIFY ORGANISMS (to identify species =…
Classification Taxonomy
- classification = the name given to the process in which organisms are sorted, organisms in the same group share similar characteristics.
- the seven groups are kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species.
- kingdom is the largest and broadest taxonomic group. Species is smaller and most specific classification.
- the most recent and widely used system uses taxonomic groups, almost like a hierarchy.
- similar/related groups at one hierarchical level are combined into more inclusive levels at the next higher level.
- based on recent studies on genetic material, many scientists add a further level of classification, known as domain. This level is placed at the top of the hierarchy.
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- classification begins by separating organisms into one of three domains = archaea, bacteria and eukarya.
- further you move down the hierarchy = more groups = less organisms per group.
- organisms in each group become more similar and share more charcteristics.
- the system ends with organisms being classified as individual species = these are the smallest units of classification = each group contains one type of organism.
- a species is defined as a group of organisms that are able to reproduce to produce fertile offspring.
- for example = donkeys breed with other donkeys = reproduce = offspring subsequently breed.
- however, an example that differs is = horse and donkey breed = offspring that is produced is infertile = unable to reproduce.
- donkeys and horses are treated as different species, furthermore, mules and hinnies are not a species.
- mules and hinnies are unable to reproduce due to an odd number of chromosomes = 63 = due to the horses chromosome amount being 64 and donkeys being 62 = meiosis and gamete production cannot take place = chromosomes need to pair up.
- humans belong to a species called homo sapiens.