Hierarchy of classification
From broad groups to specific ones, like an address.
A house address
A house address helps us locate a place exactly.
What do you think classification of organisms has in common with an address?
What this lesson covers
The idea
Classification is hierarchical, Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species; each lower group is part of the one above, and organisms at lower levels share more common features.
A house address
A house address helps us locate a place exactly.
What do you think classification of organisms has in common with an address?
- It goes from broad to specific, step by step
- It lists the house in one word
- It starts from the smallest part
Down the levels
Press Next step.
Part of the group above
Classification goes from broad groups to smaller and more specific ones. At each lower level, organisms share more common features, and every lower group is a part of the group above it. Like a house address, it helps scientists identify, compare and study organisms accurately.
Classification is hierarchical: Kingdom, then Phylum, then Class, then Order, then Family, then Genus, then Species; each lower group is part of the one above, and organisms at lower levels share more common features.
- Level | Order
- Kingdom | 1
- Phylum | 2
- Class | 3
- Order | 4
- Family | 5
- Genus | 6
- Species | 7
Notes
Classification is hierarchical: Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species. Each lower group is part of the one above, and lower levels share more common features.
Check yourself
How many levels are in the order Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species?
Answer: 7
Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus and Species make seven levels.
Which is the broadest group?
Which group comes just after Class?
Organisms at lower levels of the hierarchy ...
- Species. Species is the most specific group.
- Kingdom — correct. Yes!
- Genus. Genus is a lower level, part of a Family.
- Family. Family comes after Order.
- Phylum. Phylum comes before Class.
- Order — correct. Yes!
- share more common features — correct. Yes!
- share fewer common features. At each lower level, organisms share more common features.
- are no longer part of the higher group. Every lower group is a part of the group above it.