1. What is ‘Living’?
Living organisms show the following characteristics:
Growth – Increase in mass and number of individuals.
Reproduction – Production of progeny (asexual or sexual).
Metabolism – All chemical reactions in a body.
Cellular organization – Living organisms are made of cells.
Consciousness – Ability to sense and respond to stimuli.
Metabolism and cellular organization are unique to living beings.
2. Diversity in the Living World
The earth hosts millions of organisms, which differ in size, form, habitat, and physiology.
Need for classification to organize this diversity.
3. Taxonomy
Taxonomy: The science of identification, nomenclature, and classification.
Systematics: Broader than taxonomy; includes evolutionary relationships.
4. Taxonomic Categories (Hierarchy)
Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species
Species is the basic unit.
Example: Homo sapiens
Genus: Homo
Species: sapiens
5. Binomial Nomenclature
Proposed by Carolus Linnaeus.
Uses two names: Genus and species.
Written in italics; Genus capitalized, species lowercase.
Example: Panthera leo
6. Taxonomical Aids
Tools used to identify and classify organisms:
Herbarium – Collection of dried, pressed plant specimens.
Botanical Garden – Conserves living plants.
Museum – Preserved plant and animal specimens.
Zoological Parks – Animals in natural-like habitat.
Key – Used to identify organisms based on contrasting characteristics.