Chapter 18, Problem 1RCC

What criteria are used to classify species in the Linnaean classification system?

To determine

The classification criteria for species based on the Linnaean classification system.

Answer to Problem 1RCC

Solution:

According to the Linnaean system, living things are divided into domains, which are divided into the kingdom, then phylum, classes, and family. Family is divided into the genus, and each genus contains different species.

Explanation of Solution

The main criteria of the Linnean system are to divide species based on their similarities into different groups. The highest of them is a domain. All living organisms are divided into domains. Every domain is divided into kingdoms. Many phyla make a kingdom. A phylum is subdivided into classes which contain different orders. The order is subdivided into families; these families contain organisms of different genera. Finally, one or more species combine to form a genus.

Other criteria under the Linnean system include naming the species. Each species have two parts in their scientific name. The first part in the scientific name is the genus name, and the other part is the species name. These names are written in italics where genus name is capitalized. For example, Homo sapiens where Homo is a genus and sapiens is a species name.