Term | Definition |
classification | How scientists divide organisms into groups or classes based on specific characteristics |
taxonomy | The science of describing, naming, and classifying organisms. |
dichotomous key | Tool that scientists use to identify organisms and that consists of the answers to a series of statements or questions. |
genus | The "broad" part of a scientific name. |
species | A group of organisms that are closely related and can reproduce. The "specific" part of a scientific name |
kingdom | This level follows domain and is considered the most broad level of classification. |
Carolus Linnaeus | "Father of Taxonomy." A Swedish scientist who founded modern taxonomy. |
binomial nomenclature | A two part naming system used in taxonomy. |
Domain Archae | Domain containing all of Kingdom Archaebacteria. |
Domain Bacteria | Domain containing all of Kingdom Eubacteria. |
Domain Eukarya | Domain containing all of Kingdom Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia. |
Archaebacteria | "Ancient" bacteria usually found in extreme environments. |
Eubacteria | "True" bacteria that can be found almost everywhere on Earth. |
Protista | Kingdom containing organisms that have many different characteristics of organisms in other kingdoms (can be plant-like or animal-like or fungi-like or a combination) |
Fungi | Kingdom that includes fungi, mushrooms, molds, and yeasts. Have cell walls made of chitin. |
Plantae | Kingdom containing plants. Have cell walls made of cellulose. |
Animalia | Kingdom containing animals such as beetles, worms, snakes, birds, dogs, and humans. |
scientific name | Name of an organism that contains the genus and species. Ex. Tyrannosaurus rex. |