Systematics is a branch of Biology that is dedicated to the study of biodiversity, that is, the diversity of existing living beings, seeking to understand the relationships between them. Within this context, the classification of living beings is one of the most relevant areas of this discipline, being fundamental to understanding the different organisms that make up life on Earth.
The classification system for living beings is based on a hierarchy of taxonomic categories, ranging from Kingdom, the broadest category, to Species, the most specific. This hierarchy is known as the Hierarchical Classification System and is the basis for the organization of living things in Biology.
Living beings are classified into five kingdoms: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia. Each Kingdom is subdivided into Phyla, which are in turn divided into Classes. Classes are divided into Orders, which are further subdivided into Families. Families are divided into Genus, and finally Genus are divided into Species.
This classification is based on morphological and physiological characteristics, as well as evolutionary relationships between living beings. For example, all organisms in Kingdom Animalia are multicellular, have cells without a cell wall, and are heterotrophs. Within this kingdom, vertebrates are classified into a specific class, the Class Mammals, which includes organisms that have mammary glands and are homeothermic.
The classification of living beings is not an easy task and is constantly revised as new information is discovered. For example, with the advent of molecular biology, it was possible to perform DNA analyzes that allowed the revision of some traditional classifications. Furthermore, the discovery of new species or the extinction of existing species can also lead to changes in classification.
Continue in our app.
You can listen to the audiobook with the screen off, receive a free certificate for this course, and also have access to 5,000 other free online courses.
Or continue reading below...
Download the app
In addition to the hierarchical classification system, there are other classification systems, such as the phylogenetic classification system, which seeks to classify living beings based on their ancestry and descent relationships. This system uses the analysis of morphological and molecular characteristics to build a "tree of life", which shows how different groups of living beings are related to each other.
To conclude, the classification of living beings is an essential tool for Biology. It allows organizing the enormous diversity of living beings in a way that facilitates the study and understanding of their characteristics and relationships. In addition, the classification is also important for the conservation of biodiversity, as it allows identifying species that are at risk of extinction and taking measures to protect them.
In the Enem test, it is important to be familiar with the basic concepts of the classification of living beings, such as the hierarchy of taxonomic categories and the characteristics of the different kingdoms. Also, it is useful to understand how classification is done and how it might change with new discoveries. Finally, it is important to understand the importance of classification for Biology and biodiversity conservation.
