What is the scientific study of the classification of living organisms known as?

The scientific study of the classification of living organisms is known as taxonomy. This field focuses on the naming, describing, and categorizing of organisms based on shared characteristics and genetic relationships. Taxonomy is fundamental to biology as it provides a framework for understanding the diversity of life on Earth and establishes a universal language for scientists to communicate about species.

Taxonomy involves organizing species into hierarchical categories, such as kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. This classification helps scientists categorize organisms in a systematic way that reflects their evolutionary relationships.

Understanding taxonomy is essential as it underlies many areas of biological research and conservation. It allows for the identification of species, understanding their relationships with one another, and tracking biodiversity changes over time.