A taxonomist is a type of scientist who identifies, classifies and describes living things.

To classify things is to sort them into groups.

To identify something is to be able to name it correctly.

Distinct types of living things are called species.

Latin is a language that comes from the ancient Roman empire and is still commonly used by scientists and other academics.

Discovering and naming new species

Science

In this Why we group and classify living things unit, pupils learn about why we classify plants and animals based on specific characteristics. In the Species and classification unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn more about the identification and classification of organisms, including at the cellular level.

In the Living things and the environment unit, pupils learnt to recognise that living things can be grouped in a variety of ways. In this Why we group and classify living things unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to give reasons for classifying plants and animals based on specific characteristics

Why we group and classify living things

none; they have already all been discovered.

Approximately how many new species do taxonomists describe every year?

so they can reunite animals with their families

so others can identify organisms of the same species accurately

so they can write lots of books about them

Why is it important for taxonomists to describe newly discovered organisms in lots of detail, including which features make it similar and different to close relatives?

Which language is often used for the species names of living things?

To avoid confusion and help taxonomists to make sure they are referring to the same organism, Carl Linnaeus created the {{}} naming system.

Which of these names is the correct binomial name for this organism?

Which two parts are used to create a name in the binomial system?

Scientists classify living things to help understand and learn more about them. What is classifying?

to sort it into a group with other similar things

to find out what something is and its name

names, describes and groups living things

prevents living things from becoming endangered 

looks after the well being of living things

Which of these features of living things can **not** be used to help identify them?

Starter Quiz