Biological classification is a formal system of distinguishing, naming, and grouping individual organisms. Whereas numerous systems have existed since antiquity, the modemn system was initially developed by Carolus Linnaeus in the eighteenth century. It is supported by a binomial naming system and groupings of organisms are based on traits. “The earlier systems of classification of organisms were simple ‘and based on one or two characters. First scientific attempt for the classification was performed by Asistotle. Aristotle Animals Plants Anima: Enoima Shrubs Herbs Enaima- Animals Animals Animals without saving having RBCs RBCS RBCS In above table plants are divided into shrubs, herbs and trees. ‘Aristotle used simple morphological characters to classify and trees. He classified animals into Jats into bets, shrubs kh the basis of absence and presence of ‘Anaima and Enaima, on RBCs respectively * “The word taxonomy is proposed by A.P. DE, CANDOLLE. “The term systematic was proposed by LINNAEUS. Neo-systematies- A new branch: Name given by JULIAN HUXLEY(1940) ed for Classifi «Out of 1.7 million organisms, 1.2 milion are animals and 0.5 milion plants. © The largest group of organisms is insects with over 0.75 milion species, Many plant and animal species have not yet been discovered. ‘© Underwater reefs and tropical rainforests seem to possess innumerable undiscovered species. ‘© Every year about 15000 new species are discovered. It is estimated that total living organisms may range between 5-30 million species. ‘© About 50-100 times more species have become extinct. + The study of one or two organisms imt ample to understand the essential features of the duster. Classification helps in knowing the connection amongst different groups of organisms and the evolutionary relationship between ther, + To identify and precisely describe the basic units of Classification. + This is an appropriate method to arrange species in an order on the basis of ther similarities and relationships. + To indicate the phylogeny of the organisms In his Systema Naturae, first published in 1735, Carolus Linnaeus distinguished two kingdoms of living things: Animalia for ‘animals and Plantae (Vegetabilia) for plants. He classified all ving ‘organisms into two kingdoms - on the basis of nutrition and locomotion {mobility Linnaeus placed unicellular protozoans and multicellular animals (metazoans) under animal kingdom because of their compact body, holozoie (ingestion of food) and locomotion. All other organisms were grouped under plant kingdom because of their immobility, spread out appearance and autotrophic mode of nutrition. Thus, the traditional plant kingdom ‘comprised bacteria, algae, plant, and fang. nutrition