Biology – Scientific Classification

There are 8 different levels in scientific classification – (1) Domain; (2) Kingdom; (3) Phylum ; (4) Class; (5) Order; (6) Family; (7) Genus; (8) Species.

1. DOMAIN – There are three domains of life:

• 1. Archea
  2. Bacteria, and
  3. Eukarya.

Archea and Bacteria are prokaryotic microorganisms, while everything else is considered Eukarya or a Eukaryotic organism.

2. KINGDOM – There are 5 kingdoms of taxonomy –

1. Monera (Prokaryotes)
2. Protista (Single-celled Eukaryotes)
3. Fungi (Fungus)
4. Plantae (Plants)
5. Animalia (Animals).

3. PHYLUM – There are several different phylum for each kingdom. Phylum is defined as a group of Classes with similar distinctive characteristics. Organisms with similar characteristics would fall inside the same phylum

4. CLASS – Class is defined as a group comprised of living things that share a common attribute.

5. ORDER – An Order is made of families sharing a set of similar nature or character.

6. FAMILY – A Family is defined as a taxonomic group of one or more genera sharing a common attribute.

7. GENUS – Genera are made up of species that are structurally similar or phylogenetically related.

8. SPECIES – According to a new estimate by scientists, there are 8.7 million different species on earth today. A species is usually defined as a group of individuals that interbreed in nature.