Biological classification

The idea

Biological classification is the scientific system of grouping living organisms by their similarities and differences, which organises information and shows how organisms are related.

A messy library

Thousands of books lie scattered on a library floor. You want one particular book.

What would help you find it fastest, and what is the same idea for living things?

• Arranging into sections, and grouping organisms by similarities
• Reading every book, and studying each organism alone
• Waiting for the book to appear, and ignoring organisms

Scattered or sorted

Press Next step.

Sorting makes sense of many

Just as sections help us find a book, grouping organisms by similarities and differences helps us study them. The grouping also shows how organisms are related. The book lists several benefits of classification.

Biological classification is the scientific system of grouping living organisms by their similarities and differences. It organises information and shows how organisms are related.

• Classification helps us ...
• study living organisms in an organised and systematic way
• understand similarities and differences among living beings
• understand how organisms are related and interact
• identify and name newly discovered organisms
• conserve biodiversity by identifying organisms threatened with extinction
• let scientists all over the world use a common system

Notes

Biological classification groups organisms by similarities and differences, organises information and shows how organisms are related.

Check yourself

What is biological classification?

Which is a benefit of classification given in the book?

Classification helps conservation by ...

What does grouping also show about organisms?

• The scientific system of grouping living organisms by their similarities and differences — correct. Yes!
• Giving every organism a nickname. Classification is grouping by similarities and differences. Naming is only one part of the work it supports.
• Keeping living organisms in a laboratory. Classification is a way of grouping organisms, not a place to keep them.
• It makes organisms stop being threatened. The book says classification helps identify organisms under threat. It does not stop the threat by itself.
• It lets scientists all over the world discuss organisms using a common system — correct. Yes!
• It makes organisms look alike. Classification shows similarities and differences. It does not change the organisms.
• making all organisms equal in number. Classification helps by identifying threatened organisms, not by changing their numbers.
• removing endangered organisms from the wild. The book says it supports conservation by identifying threatened organisms, not by removing them.
• identifying organisms under threat of extinction — correct. Yes!
• How they are related — correct. Yes!
• How heavy they are. The book says grouping shows how organisms are related, not how heavy they are.
• Where they were born. The book says grouping organises information and shows how organisms are related.