Classifying organisms is a necessity as it helps us understand their evolutionary diversity better.Once organisms are classified, it is easier to identify them. Classifying organisms can also help answer our many questions about the evolutionary process; it can help us learn about the relationships between different plants and animals that exist in nature, and it helps us learn about their differences, similarities, and features.Scientists use a system called taxonomy when classifying living things. This system helps science carry out research and study nature. Classifying organisms in groups helps them identify a specific organism they wish to know more about as organisms in a family have a lot in common and are related to each other but might not have direct relationships. For example, dolphins and whales are classified under the same genus, but dolphins and turtles are not as they are not closely related.It also helps in gaining a clearer understanding of the evolutionary processes in action. This way, anyone can achieve an individual understanding of each organism and its differences and similarities.Since many types of organisms exist in the world, classifying them makes it easier to understand them. Classification is a great tool to deal with the diversity of organisms and acts as a development base for other biological sciences. Is this the only reason why the classification of organisms is so beneficial? Read on to find out!To learn many more interesting facts, you may want to read why do animals reproduce and why do animals need food.What does it mean to classify an organism?Did you know that in taxonomy, the genus is used for identifying the first part of an organism’s scientific name? There is a common understanding that the nomenclature that is being used when naming species or groups should be distinctive, unambiguous, and must be mutually agreeable.Classification for all living organisms is done based on their shared characteristics. Each individual organism of different groups is further classified into smaller groups. The purpose of creating smaller groups is to further distinguish groups based on their similarities at a more detailed level. This system makes it easier for scientists to study different organisms.The way an organism is grouped is based on its reproduction, functionality, mobility, and appearance. Classifying an organism is to differentiate between the characteristics of each organism. They are then grouped based on their similarity in nature.The classification of living organisms is said to be a necessity. With the world having specific names for more than 1.8 million species and thousands of them being added every year, scientists have assessed that there are 3-10 million species living today.With the tremendous diversity of living organisms that have and do exist, classifying organisms can ensure humans have a clearer understanding of the relationship and similarities between species that have been grouped.Dr. Stephen Jay Gould, Ph.D., a paleontologist, estimated that 99% of the animals and plant species that have ever existed are extinct. These species left no fossils. Being aware that humans have close relatives in the animal kingdom is necessary to understand our own biological evolution.What are the different classifications of organisms?The basic process of assigning a name to an organism is carried as per the modern nomenclature followed in biology. All living things are classified by human taxonomists and given standardized names under this process. These names are mostly in Greek or Latin or even derived from other people’s names in biology. There are seven different levels of classification of organisms. These specialized groups are collectively known as the classification of living things in terms of biology. Let’s have a look at the different basic classifications:Kingdom- This is one of the most common and basic classifications that is done of living things. There are five different kingdoms; Plant, Animal, Protist, Fungi, and Monera (unicellular). These living things are placed in these kingdoms based on the number of cells they have, the way they obtain their food, and how the cells in their bodies are made.Phylum- The next level in classification is done by finding the physical similarities within an animal kingdom.Class - This level of classification further divides the organisms that were grouped in a phylum. Here, the living things have even more in common than they did before.Order - A taxonomy key is used to regulate the order to which an organism belongs. Taxonomy key refers to a checklist of characteristics used to define the grouping of organisms.Families - Living things have the most in common at this level. Because of how much they happen to have in common, they are referred to as families.Genus - Genus is used to describe the generic name of a particular organism. The genus is denoted by a capitalized Latin name; for example, a human is a Homo (meaning ‘man’) sapiens (meaning ‘wise’), which means that ‘Homo’ is the genus and ‘sapiens’ is the species.Species - The last level of this is as specific as it can get. It is known as the strictest level for the classification of living organisms. To be placed in a particular species, the main norm depends on their capability to breed with another organism that also comes under the given species.What are the advantages of classifying organisms?In biology, the grouping of living things is used for two different purposes. The first one is for making natural groups, and the second one is for physical identification. These are often used in combination. The similar species should be first compared with explanations of what is already known about them. This kind of classification is known as a key and is reliable to point out the noticeable physical characteristics that are useful in their identification and understanding of their relationship. One shouldn’t consider only one feature of an organism to classify them but look at numerous features to do so.We will now have a look at some of the advantages that come with classifying living organisms:Classification is an important process for understanding diversity better. It helps humans comprehend how simple living organisms evolved into more complex living organisms. Identification of different kinds of living organisms is understood better by humans when they are classified. Humans gain knowledge of how different living organisms are grouped together based on their similarities, differences, and features. With the great number of living organisms existing in the world, classifications help in dealing with and differentiate between them.Other biological sciences can be developed from the classification of living organisms. Understanding the interrelationships amongst different living organisms is essential and can be done by classifying them. Knowing the specific identification of a living organism can be done in classification. Integrating life as a whole can be done by studying a small number of representatives from each of the distinct groups that exist.Science can increase the amount of information we have on all living things, including plants and animals that live in specific geographic regions. Classification makes understanding different living organisms easier. Science can understand the relationship between and the nature of different living organisms by classifying them.Who made the earliest attempt to classify living organisms?Aristotle, who was known as the ‘father of science,’ made the earliest attempt to classify living organisms. He was also the first father of Taxonomy, which is the study of the scientific classification of living organisms based on their natural relationships. Aristotle was the first to introduce the two key concepts of Taxonomy, which are the binomial definition and the classification of living organisms.Classifying all kinds of animals was first attempted by Aristotle in ‘History of Animals.’ According to the similarities of different organisms, he tried to group them based on whether they lived on land or in water and if they had blood in their bodies. The view of life was hierarchical, according to Aristotle. Different creatures being grouped from lowest to highest, where humans are the highest. He didn’t follow anything related to evolutionary theory, and his system of classification regarded the core of the species to be unchanging. This view of classification continued for the next 2000 years.He also came up with the definition of binomial. The meaning of this is ’two names.’ According to this innovative system that Aristotle came up with, the two names refer to each living organism being defined by two names of its ‘difference’ and ‘genius.‘The genius here comes from the root of Greek, ‘birth.’ Its other meanings are ‘race’ and ‘family.’ His objective was to place every living organism in a family and then differentiate amongst them. This would be based upon the members of the families having some of the other unique characteristics. For example, he defined humans as the ‘rational animal.’ However, Aristotle didn’t use the definition he came up with in his biological classification system. It had to wait for modern science’s development to meet the potential innovation.The work done by Aristotle didn’t survive until the present day, but his influence was long-lasting and profound. Since his work didn’t survive until today, no one knew about his study of the details of plants. However, his student, Theophrastus, kept it going and is now known as the ‘Father of Botany.’ The text of his two botanical works, which are ‘On Plants’ and ‘The Causes of Plants,’ still exists to this day, but only in Latin translations.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for why do we classify organisms, then take a look at why do atoms bond, or why do metals have high melting points.
Classifying organisms is a necessity as it helps us understand their evolutionary diversity better.
