Classification of Living Organisms
Biology: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 6.4.1
Classification Systems
Classification groups organisms by comparing their similarities and differences:
Traditional (Linnaean) classification system
- The traditional classification system, devised by Carl Linnaeus, categorises organisms based on their structure and characteristics.
- He created 7 different groups - Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
3-domain system
- Carl Woese proposed the 3 domain system. This classifies organisms based on chemical analysis.
- The 3 domains are:
- Archaea - primitive bacteria.
- Bacteria - true bacteria.
- Eukaryota - organisms possessing complex sub-cellular structures (protists, fungi, plants and animals).
Test yourself on Classification of Living Organisms
Who made the old classification system?
Linnaean Classification
Panthera is a genus within the Felidae family. What does this show about the relationship between a genus and a family in classification?
What is the main difference between Carl Woese's three-domain system and the traditional Linnaean system?