Taxonomy
The science of classifying organisms into groups based on appearance or genetic comparison and creating names that reflect the groups.
Linnaean Classification
Classification of plants and animals into groups based on appearance.
Kingdom
Largest level of grouping created by Carolus Linnaeus.
Genus
A group of closely related species.
Species
A group of similar organisms that are able to reproduce and create fertile offspring.
Binomial Nomenclature
A naming system created by Carolus Linnaeus including the genus and species of an organism. For example, Homo sapien and Homo erectus are shown to be in the same genus.
Microevolution
Changes within a population over time due to mutation and sexual reproduction. Changes are small and have a relatively small time frame. For example, the rock pocket mouse population in Arizona became darker and darker over time due to mutation and natura
Macroevolution
Large changes over long periods of time which explain how one species can become a different species. For example, the changes needed to evolve dinosaurs into birds.
Phylogenetic Tree
A diagram that shows connections between different groups of living things.
Derived Characteristic
A physical structure or behavior that shows an increase in complexity from one group of organisms to the next.
Clade
A group of species that have the same derived characteristic. For example, mice, humans, and lions would be in the same group because they have hair which helps them to control body temperature.