Classification of Living Organisms
Science: KS3, topic 1.3.15
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
Lions and tigers both belong to the genus Panthera. What does this tell us about their family classification?
A biologist looks at the shape and body features of two fish to sort them. Whose classification method does this match?