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Taxonomy
| S.No | Pg. No | |
| 1 | Introduction | 2 |
| 2 | Linnaeus and the development of classification system for mammals | 2 |
| 3 | Taxonomy and phylogeny | 4 |
| 4 | Unicellularity | 5 |
| 5 | Multicellularity | 6 |
| 6 | Challenges to Classification | 7 |
| 7 | References | 8 |
Introduction
Taxonomy, It is impossible to study living organisms without classifying them into precise groups. Biologist have various methods to classify specifies but the scientist mutually agreed to group the organisms according to their evolutionary development (Judd, Campbell and Kellogg, 2008). There are other methods as well which classify organisms effectively based on their morphological features, habitat, mode of life etc. Organisms are categorised at the same species according to the degree of similarity and the traits and characteristics they have in common.
The evolutionary method not only classifies animals but also provides sufficient background information about them and their developmental process. Classifying organisms according to their traits and species of origin is known as taxonomy (O’Neil, 2015). Homologies are anatomical features of various organisms which possess similar traits inherited from a common ancestor. The forelimb of a polar bear and a human’s arm bear similarity and can be traced to the similar types of bones which were present in the reptile ancestors which both these species share, and are therefore the bones will be known as homologous structures (Myers et al., 2015).
Linnaeus and the development of classification system for mammals
Carolus Linnaeus was an 18th century naturalist who did extensive work in classifying all known species and those who were yet to be discovered. The Linnaean system is based on classifying organisms according to their genus and species (O’Neil, 2015). Each organism is placed in at least 7 taxa. This system of classification sorts organisms based on presumed homologies. This means that if two organisms share various homologies, they must be closer in reference to evolutionary distance. Therefore, this classification system consists of all living organisms at the highest level and after many subcategories and subgroups; only one type of species is present at the lowest level (Myers et al., 2015).
Taxonomy and phylogeny
The aim of taxonomy is to understand the evolutionary distances among organisms and their relationships to one another. Taxonomy aims to clear all confusions between variations in species and to vividly separate one species from another. The vast diversity we see today is due to adaptive radiation or evolution. This phenomenon is the diversity of the species which occurs due to their adaptations into different niches and other environmental and biological characters. As a result, the species ultimately evolve and become distinct species. Natural selection is the main mechanism which is the driving force of adaptive radiation (Judd, Campbell and Kellogg, 2008). Phylogeny is the hierarchical system in which all life forms are related to one another.
The literal meaning of the term phylogeny is ‘tree of life’. Phylogenic trees are based on similarities between organisms based on their genetic and morphological homology. The physical traits in species help to recognise any revolutionary background among different but similar species. Genetic patterns can also help in identifying hierarchy among species while the cladistics approach can be applied to phylogenic trees in order to differentiate between in born and derived traits and characteristics.
It is imperative to consider the impact of evolutionary implications on classification and it should be clearly understood that classification is subjected to changes and other modifications on the basis on putting together unrelated taxa (Henry, 2005). Due to the introduction of genetic homogeneity many characteristics which are similar in animal species are now becoming evident but more importantly it has also created implications in studying the evolutionary process (Dunn et al., 2014).
Unicellularity
A unicellular organism is simply known as a single celled organism. The entire being of the organism comprises of only one cell which is responsible for all the functions including production of energy, metabolic processes, growth and the excretion of waste products. The main groups of unicellular organisms are bacteria, archaea, protozoa and unicellular algae and fungi. The unicellular organisms can either be prokaryotic or eukaryotic, depending on their features. Unicellular organisms are the most primitive creatures. Each characteristic of unicellular and multicellular organisms give information about the evolution which have taken place throughout the years and how each and every organism can be related and traced back to their basic life forms (Gordeeva, Labas and Zvyagilskaya, 2004).
Movement and Locomotion
Movement enables an organism to change its structure and shape. This is done by using pseudopods which allow the organism to obtain food material or excrete waste products from and into its environment respectively. The organism can send its pseudopodia in many directions.
Unicellular organisms have peculiar methods in order to move from one place to another. A common method is the use of flagella. A flagellum…
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