If we go back in time, since then, the entire living system was divided up into Flora and Fauna. With their same yet different characteristics, they serve their purpose well and count as an individual organism. Later, the system got more edge to it as now the entire system has been divided up into smaller differentiation. To understand how the classification of living things made everything fall into a particular category, here are the basic characteristics of these beings. To start with:-
What is the Classification of Living Things
In elementary school, students learned about the classification of living things. In the chapter, there was just an introduction and minutes details about the classification. So, with time the differentiation in the head got bleak. But now, it has become important to get back to the old school topics to better understand our ecosystem and resonate with it. The history of the classification of living things falls back in the 16th century with a Swedish Botanist Carl Linnaeus. The scientist had a keen interest in the topic, so he made his first classification guide called Systema Naturae in 1735. Thus, he’s referred to as the Father of taxonomy who helped us to name, classify, and rank the different levels of classification.
7 Levels of the Classification of Living Things
Kingdoms
The living beings are placed in a kingdom based on their physical appearance and ability to obtain food.
The kingdoms are divided up into five categories:
- Monera
- Protista
- Fungi
- Plant
- Animal
Phylum
This distinction is made based on the physical similarities that the organisms have within their kingdom. For e.g.:- grouping together socks from a bunch of clothes. Similarly, in the animal kingdom, the group of animals with a spinal column refers to chordates.
Classes
The living organisms in the same class have similar abilities and body traits. E.g., vertebrates, invertebrates, dicots, or monocots, etc.
Order
The living organisms break down into order based on their characteristics that are determined by the taxonomy key. E.g., carnivores, primates, rodents, etc.
Families
The common characters are further specified when they’re in a common family. The members of a family are closely related to each other.
Genus
Each organism has a two-part scientific name, with the first part unifying its group. Genus is the first part of the two-part name. E.g., Panthera leo: Lion, Panthera tigris: tiger (Panthera – Genus)
Species
Each organism has a two-part name, with the second part unifying it. Species is the second part of the two-part name. E.g., Panthera leo: Lion, Panthera tigris: tiger (Leo and Tigris – species)
These are the basics of the classification of living things.
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