what is taxonomy?

the field of biology that names, classifies and places organisms in groups according to their characteristics 

name the eight ranks of texonomy

species, genus, family, order, class, phylum, kingdom, domain

define the taxon: species

a group of organisms that look similar and can reproduce with each other 

define the taxon: genus

a group of different closely related species (eg. lion, tiger, lepoard)

define the taxon: family 

where orders and suborders are organized 

define the taxon: order

classes are divided into orders which may be divided further into suborders

define the taxon: class

phyla are divided into class

define the taxon: phylum

a large group of genetically-related families eg. all mammals belong to the phylum chordata 

define the taxon: kingdom

there are four kingdoms: animal, fungi, protist and plant which are further separated into phyla and are divided into these groups from the three domains

define the taxon: domain

there are three domains for life: bacteria, eukaryota and archaea. these are split up into kingdoms