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Classification and human evolution
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Scientists sort living things into groups. DNA evidence has changed how we classify them.
Classification
Carl Linnaeus grouped organisms into kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species.
Carl Woese proposed the three-domain system using genetic evidence: Archaea, Bacteria and Eukarya.
Carl Woese proposed the three-domain system using genetic evidence: Archaea, Bacteria and Eukarya.
Binomial names
Each species has a two-part Latin name: genus then species.
Humans are *Homo sapiens*.
Humans are *Homo sapiens*.
Human evolution
Fossils show how humans evolved, for example Ardi (4.4 million years old), Lucy (3.2 million years old) and Turkana Boy (1.6 million years old).
Stone tools became more complex over time, showing increasing brain size and skill.
Stone tools became more complex over time, showing increasing brain size and skill.
What is the genus of the lion, Panthera leo?
- Binomial names are genus then species.
Answer: Panthera
Linnaeus: kingdom to species. Woese: three domains (Archaea, Bacteria, Eukarya). Binomial name = genus + species. Fossils like Ardi, Lucy and Turkana Boy show human evolution.
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