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AWAKE Curricula

Taxonomy

Kingdom - The broadest category of all living things. Generally, five kingdoms are recognized: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia. Humans belong to the kingdom Animalia.

Phylum - A subdivision of the kingdom category. Zoologists use the term "phylum" and botanists generally use the term "division". For instance, humans belong to the phylum Chordata and mosses belong to the division Bryophyta.

Class - A subdivision of the phylum category. Humans belong to the class Mammalia because we have mammary glands for nursing our young.

Order - A subdivision of the class category. Humans belong to the order Primate because we have refined hands and feet.

Family - A subdivision of the order category. Humans belong to the family Hominidae because we walk upright, are tail-less, and have a distinctive human appearance.

Genus - A subdivision of the family category. Humans belong to the genus Homo because we are "man-like". The genus name comprises the first part of the scientific name.

Species - A subdivision of the genus category in which all members not only share common characteristics, they also are able to interbreed naturally and produce fertile offspring. Humans belong to the species sapiens because of our large brain capacity. The species name comprises the second part of the scientific name.

Subspecies - A subdivision of the species category describing a variety of plants or a breed of animals. For instance, the midland water snake is a subspecies of the northern water snake. A third word is added to the scientific name to indicate the subspecies. For example, the full scientific name for the midland water snake is Nerodia sipedon pleuralis