What are cells?
What are cells?
• EXTENSION There are organelles other than the ones we will discuss in this section.
• Explore these using this website:
[Link]
• Explore cell evolution using this website:
[Link]
Organelles and cell function
Stem cells
Hierarchy of life
Classification
• The biological classification system, however, is based on research in anatomy, physiology, chemistry,
genetics and many other branches of science. It is a scientific method of classification that groups
organisms that share common features.
• This classification is not random, but rather it describes evolutionary relationships. As a
consequence, it is always necessarily hierarchical, where the important features inherited from a
common ancestor determine the group in which the organisms are placed. For example, humans and
whales both feed their young on milk, which is a characteristic inherited from a common ancestor.
This similarity places them under the same class, mammals, even though their habitats are
completely different.
Each organism is grouped into one of five large groups or kingdoms, which are subdivided into
smaller groups called phyla (singular: phylum) and then smaller and smaller groups with other
names.
• Kingdom
• Phylum
• Class
• Order
• Family
• Genus
• Species
• When trying to identify animals, it is this hierarchy or ranking scheme that we follow. We start by identifying the kingdom to which an
organism belongs, then its phylum, class, family, order, and so on. This is similar to explaining how to find your house to a being from another
planet. You would have to say Earth first, then Africa, then South Africa, then KZN, then Durban, then the suburb, then the road name and
finally the house number. He would have to start searching in a big place and gradually work down to smaller places (or groupings).
• A way to remember it is "Kwaito People Come Out From Gauteng Singing". By learning this mnemonic you are going to remember the
sequence in the classification system:
Kingdom - Kwaito
Phylum - People
Class - Come
Order - Out
Family - From
Genus - Gauteng
Species - Singing
History of classification
Binomial Nomenclature
• One of Linnaeus' greatest contributions was that he designed a scientific system of naming organisms
called binomial nomenclature (bi - 'two', nomial - 'names'). He gave each organism a two part scientific name
- genus (plural - 'genera') and species (plural - 'species') names. The genus and species names would be similar
to your first name and surname. Genus name is always written with a capital letter whereas species name is
written with a small letter. The scientific name must always be either written underlined or printed in italics.
• Since Latin was once the universal language of science among western scholars in medieval Europe, these names
were typically in Latin.
• For example the scientific name of the African elephant is Loxodonta africana.
• Genus: Loxodonta Species: africana
An organism will always have only one scientific name even though they might
have more than one common name. For example Blue crane, indwe (for
amaXhosa) and mogolori (for Batswana) are all common names for South Africa's
national bird (shown below). However, it has got only one scientific name which
is Anthropoides paradiseus.
The scientific name of our human race is Homo sapiens sapiens. We are the only
surviving members of the genus Homo — other more ancient or ancestral types
such as Homo ergaster and Homo neanderthalensis have all become extinct.
Prokaryotes and eukaryotes
• Prokaryotes are uni- or multicellular organisms made up of cells that do not have a nuclear
envelope (pro - before, karyon - nucleus). The genetic material is not bound in a nucleus. They
also lack cell organelles such as an endoplasmic reticulum, a Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and
mitochondria. Prokaryotes are divided into two main groups namely the Bacteria and the
Archaea (ancient bacteria).
• Eukaryotes are organisms that possess a membrane-bound nucleus that holds genetic material
(eu - true, karyon - nucleus). Eukaryotes may contain other membrane-bound cell organelles,
such as mitochondria and chloroplasts. Eukaryotic organisms can be unicellular or multicellular.
Eukaryotes include organisms such as plants, animals, fungi, and protists.
What is classification in
biology?
Classification in biology is the process of grouping similar
organisms into categories based on their characteristics and
evolutionary relationships. This helps to make sense of the
vast diversity of life on Earth.
Why is classification important
in biology?
Classification is important in biology because it helps to
organize and understand the relationships between different
species. It also makes it easier to study, identify, and
communicate about different types of organisms.
How do scientists classify
organisms?
Scientists classify organisms using a hierarchical system, with
each level being more specific. The main levels of classification
are Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species.
Scientists use physical and genetic characteristics to determine
where an organism belongs in this system.
What is the difference between a
species and a genus?
A species is a group of similar organisms that can breed and
produce offspring that can also breed. A genus is a group of
similar species that share certain characteristics.
How has classification changed
over time?
Classification has changed over time as new information and
technology have become available. For example, DNA analysis
has allowed scientists to refine our understanding of
evolutionary relationships and has led to changes in the
classification of some species.
What is taxonomy and how does it relate
to classification?
Taxonomy is the branch of biology that deals with the classification
of living things. It involves the description, identification,
nomenclature, and classification of species. Taxonomy is closely
related to classification as it provides the framework for the
classification of organisms.
How does classification help with
conservation efforts?
Classification helps with conservation efforts by providing
information about the relationships between species and their
ecological role. This information can be used to determine which
species are at risk of extinction and to prioritize conservation
efforts. By understanding the relationships between species, we
can better understand and protect entire ecosystems.
Thank You
