Classifying organisms involves using a hierarchical system known as taxonomy, which categorizes living things based on shared characteristics. Here's a classification of five different organisms using scientific criteria:
1. Common House Cat (Felis catus)
- Domain: Eukarya (cells with a nucleus)
- Kingdom: Animalia (multicellular, heterotrophic organisms)
- Phylum: Chordata (have a notochord, dorsal nerve cord)
- Class: Mammalia (mammals, characterized by mammary glands)
- Order: Carnivora (meat-eaters)
- Family: Felidae (cats)
- Genus: Felis
- Species: Felis catus
2. Red Maple Tree (Acer rubrum)
- Domain: Eukarya
- Kingdom: Plantae (multicellular, autotrophic organisms)
- Phylum: Angiosperms (flowering plants)
- Class: Eudicots (true dicots)
- Order: Sapindales
- Family: Sapindaceae (soapberry family)
- Genus: Acer
- Species: Acer rubrum
3. Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)
- Domain: Eukarya
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda (invertebrates with exoskeletons)
- Class: Insecta (insects)
- Order: Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, and ants)
- Family: Apidae (bee family)
- Genus: Apis
- Species: Apis mellifera
4. African Elephant (Loxodonta africana)
- Domain: Eukarya
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Proboscidea (trunked animals)
- Family: Elephantidae (elephants)
- Genus: Loxodonta
- Species: Loxodonta africana
5. Common Starfish (Asterias rubens)
- Domain: Eukarya
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Echinodermata (spiny-skinned animals)
- Class: Asteroidea (starfish)
- Order: Valvatida
- Family: Asteriidae (starfish family)
- Genus: Asterias
- Species: Asterias rubens
This classification showcases a diverse range of organisms from different kingdoms and illustrates how scientists categorize living entities based on shared characteristics.