1. Name _________________________________________________ Date __________________ 7 LL/BM/DD
Classification Notes
Big Idea: Organisms are classified into groups based on their characteristics.
Classification: putting things into orderly groups based on similar
characteristics
Taxonomy: the science of describing, naming, and classifying organisms
Dichotomous Key: an aid that is used to identify organisms and that consist
of the answers to a series of questions.
Why do we classify things?
AristotleCarolus Linnaeus –
Genus:
Species:
Modern Taxonomy – what do scientists use to classify animals into groups?
1. _______________________________ 2. ____________________________ 3.
_____________________________
4. _______________________________ 5. ____________________________ 6.
_____________________________
“Dumb kids playing catch on freeways get squashed”
D
K
P
C
O
F
G
House cat
Eukarya
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Carnivore
Felidae
Felis
Humans
Eukarya
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Primata
Hominidae
Homo
Leopard

2. Name _________________________________________________ Date __________________ 7 LL/BM/DD
S
domesticus
sapiens