Lecture Notes: Classification and Taxonomy

Introduction

Amoeba Sisters lecture on classification and taxonomy.
Hydra as an example of cool animals.
- Freshwater animal, a few millimeters in length.
- Attacks and eats tiny prey, reproduces by budding.
Importance of classification in biology.

Taxonomy: Naming and classification of species.
Carl Linnaeus credited with formal classification system.
Historical context:
- 18th century lacked detailed cell structure knowledge and DNA understanding.
Classification evolves with advances in DNA and genetic knowledge.

Bacteria:
- Prokaryotes.
- Include disease-causing bacteria, gut bacteria, decomposers, nitrogen fixers.
Archaea:
- Prokaryotes with major DNA and structural differences from Bacteria.
- Extremophiles: live in extreme environments (e.g., high salt, high temperature).
- DNA evidence links them more closely to Eukaryotes.
Eukarya:
- Eukaryotes with distinct characteristics (e.g., nucleus, organelles).

Kingdom classification is evolving with new DNA and structural evidence.
Protista:
- Diverse group, often considered for further division.
- Includes autotrophs and heterotrophs, unicellular and multicellular.
Fungi:
- Heterotrophs, consume organic material.
- Multicellular (mostly), with chitin cell walls.
Plantae:
- Autotrophs, perform photosynthesis.
- Multicellular with cellulose cell walls.
Animalia:
- Heterotrophs, mostly multicellular.
- Includes animals like hydra.

Developed by Carl Linnaeus.
Two-part names with Latin or Greek roots.
- Genus: Capitalized, italicized.
- Species: Lowercase, italicized.
Purpose: Provides specific and universally recognized names for species.
- Example: Mountain lion has several common names but one scientific name.