BRAINCAKETaxonomy
Taxonomy is the science of naming, describing and classifying organisms. Scientists who do this are called taxonomists. Their work includes describing and naming new species, deciding which group each organism belongs in, and revising groups when new evidence appears.
The system of classification still used today was devised in the 18th century by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus. Linnaeus grouped organisms by their observable physical features, their morphology.
Morphology alone can be misleading. Unrelated organisms living in similar environments may evolve similar features independently, which is called convergent evolution. For example, sharks and dolphins both have streamlined bodies and fins, but sharks are fish and dolphins are mammals.
Sign in free to see the rest of this lesson, the R.E.C.I.P.E. recall steps and the quiz
BrainCake is free. Make an account in seconds and pick up where this page stops.
More in Classification
- Biodiversity
- Classification
- Taxonomic Groups
- Binomial System
- Species
- Morphological Concept of Species
- Biological Concept of Species
- Other Species Models
All 19 lessons in Classification · All Edexcel AS-level Biology topics