Overview
This lecture introduces the classification system and naming of organisms, covering the necessity, hierarchical grouping into six kingdoms, and differences between prokaryotes/eukaryotes, unicellular/multicellular, and autotrophs/heterotrophs.
Necessity of Classification and Naming
- Biodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms on Earth.
- Classification helps organize organisms based on shared characteristics for easier study and communication.
- Naming organisms scientifically avoids confusion in international discussions.
- Taxonomy involves classification, identification, and naming of organisms.
- Carl Linnaeus developed the modern system of classification and naming (binomial nomenclature).
Hierarchical Classification: Six Kingdoms
- Organisms are grouped into six kingdoms: Archaebacteria, Eubacteria, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.
- Kingdoms are divided based on cell type, number of cells, and nutrition type.
- "King Papa Had Fun In Europe" helps remember the six kingdoms.
Taxonomic Hierarchy Example
- Domestic cat: Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Mammalia, Order Carnivora, Family Felidae, Genus Felis, Species catus.
- Scientific names use genus and species (binomial nomenclature), e.g., Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.
Cell Types: Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes
- Prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles (e.g., Archaebacteria, Eubacteria).
- Eukaryotes have a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles (e.g., Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia).
Number of Cells: Unicellular vs. Multicellular
- Unicellular: made of one cell (e.g., bacteria, some algae, protozoa, yeast).
- Multicellular: made of multiple cells (e.g., most algae, fungi, plants, animals).
Nutrition: Autotrophs vs. Heterotrophs
- Autotrophs produce their own food (e.g., plants, algae, some bacteria).
- Heterotrophs obtain food from other organisms (e.g., animals, fungi, most bacteria, protozoa).
Key Terms & Definitions
- Biodiversity — variety of living organisms interacting on Earth.
- Taxonomy — science of classifying, identifying, and naming organisms.
- Binomial nomenclature — two-part naming system using genus and species.
- Prokaryote — cell lacking a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles.
- Eukaryote — cell with a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles.
- Autotroph — organism that synthesizes its own food.
- Heterotroph — organism that obtains food by consuming others.
- Unicellular — organism made up of one cell.
- Multicellular — organism made up of more than one cell.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review characteristics of each kingdom for the next lesson.
- Learn and memorize the scientific names and classification hierarchy for sample organisms.
- Prepare for a deeper study of each kingdom's features in the next video.