Read About The Classification Of Living Things - Generation Genius

Home » Why Do Scientists Classify Organisms » Read About The Classification Of Living Things - Generation Genius

Maybe your like

Classification Using DNA

Classification Using DNA

Taxonomy is not a perfect system. Sometimes you may find two organisms that are visually identical but very different genetically, like a pill bug and a pill millipede. Scientists thought they were the same species until a more advanced method showed them they are NOT!

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the molecule of inheritance found inside the nucleus of cells. DNA is often referred to as the “blueprint of life” because it contains the instructions for making a living organism. Because all living things have DNA, we can compare the DNA of any two organisms to see how similar their DNA codes are. For example, the DNA of Homo sapiens is 99.9% the same as every other Homo sapiens. But as the similarities between different organisms decrease, the similarities in their DNA decrease too. For example, the DNA of Homo sapiens is 96% the same as chimpanzees, 80% the same as cows, and 60% the same as a fly!

Although taxonomy has been used for more than 200 years, it is an ever-changing system. Comparing DNA has made the classification of organisms more precise. As new organisms are discovered that don’t fit into any existing groups, a new group can be created and the system can be updated. It happens all the time!

Tag » Why Do Scientists Classify Organisms