Download Taxonomy - starting with the Domain

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TAXONOMY
Classification is the process of sorting and organizing things into groups having similar
characteristics. Grouping objects together allows scientist to easily observe similarities within
groups and differences between groups. Scientists then seek to explain why these similarities
and differences exist.
Taxonomy is the special name given to the science and practice of classification. Biological
classification is a form of Taxonomy in which Biologist attempt to group and categorize all living
organisms.
Recent advances in microscope technology, understanding cellular chemistry, and discoveries
about the nature of genetic material found in cells (DNA) have changed the field of Taxonomy.
Up until the last 50 years or so it was thought that all life fit into two categories…plant or animal.
Taxonomy is much more complex than that now.
Today Taxonomy begins by looking at the smallest unit of life…the cell. Based on the
characteristic of cells, all life forms are now placed into one of three groups…called Domains.
These three domains…Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya are the broadest categories of life
classification…they contain all known life forms.
Life
Cell Structure = Nucleus?
No - Yes
Prokaryotic
Eukaryotic
Energy?
Domain
Domain
Domain
Archaea
Bacteria
Eukarya
Characteristics
Autotrophic
Prokaryotic
Unicellular
Asexual Reproduction
Extreme Habitats
Ancient
Characteristics
Heterotrophic
Decomposers!
Prokaryotic
Unicellular
Asexual Reproduction
Possibly Pathogenic
(cause disease)
Most biomass on planet
Characteristics
Eukaryotic = NUCLEUS!
Multicellular or Unicellular
Sexual Reproduction
Heterotrophic or
Autotrophic
Examples
Halophiles –
Successful in –
salt (NaCl)
Thermoacidophiles –
Successful in acid / extreme heat
Examples
Cyanobacteria
Examples
All plants, algae, animals,
and fungi.
These are further split into
the Kingdoms –
Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, & Protista