Final answer:
Organisms are classified in the taxonomic system based on morphology, developmental pathways, and genetics within a hierarchical structure reflecting evolutionary history, starting from domains down to species.
Step-by-step explanation:
Organisms are classified in the taxonomic classification system using a hierarchical structure that reflects their evolutionary relationships. Initially, Carl Linnaeus established this system based on physical traits, but it has since incorporated aspects of phylogenetic classification. The primary basis for this classification includes an organism's body morphology, developmental pathways, and genetic makeup. The system organizes life into broader categories that become increasingly specific, starting with three large categories called domains: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya. Each domain then divides into kingdoms, and the subsequent categorizations decrease in scope: phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.
Features such as anatomy, embryological development, and genetic traits are crucial in determining the position of an organism within this system. Using phylogeny, scientists try to classify organisms in a manner that reflects their evolutionary history. Systematics is the field of study that helps provide information on how organisms differ or relate to one another, constantly informing the taxonomic system.