How to Classify Organisms in Taxonomy

Taxonomy, the practice of classifying past and present organisms, provides a method of displaying the relationships among all organisms. The most prevalent taxonomic structure, known as the Linnaean taxonomic system, divides organisms into increasingly specific categories, called taxa, until the organism is the only member of taxa. Although the small details of taxonomy continue to change as scientists make genetic and historic discoveries, you can classify any living organism into the seven basic taxa.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Start with the kingdom. For people, their kingdom is Animalia.

   • 2

     Classify in a phylum. Humans belong to Chordata.

   • 3

     Choose the appropriate class. Human beings fall under the class Mammalia.

   • 4

     Select the taxonomical order. Human beings belong to Primata.

   • 5

     Classify under a family. Human beings are in the family Hominidae.

   • 6

     Decide on the correct genus. Human beings fit into the genus Homo.

   • 7

     Finish with the species. Human beings classify as the species sapien.