Biological classification, also known as taxonomy, is the science of categorizing and organizing living organisms based on their characteristics and evolutionary relationships. In part 2 of biological classification, we will discuss the different taxonomic categories and their characteristics.

1. Kingdom:
- The highest taxonomic category is the kingdom, which is further divided into five kingdoms: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.
- Each kingdom represents a group of organisms with similar characteristics and evolutionary relationships.
- Monera includes prokaryotic organisms, such as bacteria.
- Protista consists of eukaryotic organisms that do not fit into other kingdoms, such as algae and protozoa.
- Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that obtain nutrients by decomposing organic matter.
- Plantae includes multicellular, eukaryotic organisms capable of photosynthesis.
- Animalia consists of multicellular, eukaryotic organisms that are heterotrophic.

2. Phylum:
- Phylum is the next taxonomic category below the kingdom.
- It represents a group of organisms with similar characteristics but more specific than the kingdom.
- For example, the phylum Chordata includes animals with a notochord or a backbone.

3. Class:
- Class is the taxonomic category below the phylum.
- It further categorizes organisms based on shared characteristics.
- For instance, the class Mammalia includes animals that are warm-blooded, have hair or fur, and produce milk for their young.

4. Order:
- Order is the next taxonomic category below the class.
- It represents a group of related families.
- An example is the order Carnivora, which includes carnivorous mammals like lions, tigers, and dogs.

5. Family:
- Family is the taxonomic category below the order.
- It represents a group of related genera.
- For example, the family Felidae includes the genera Panthera and Felis, which consist of various species of big cats and domestic cats, respectively.

6. Genus:
- Genus is the next taxonomic category below the family.
- It represents a group of closely related species.
- For instance, the genus Panthera includes species like lions, tigers, and leopards.

7. Species:
- Species is the lowest and most specific taxonomic category.
- It represents a group of individuals that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
- It is written in binomial nomenclature, with the genus name capitalized and the species name in lowercase.
- For example, the scientific name for lions is Panthera leo.

This is a brief overview of the taxonomic categories in biological classification. Remember that taxonomy is a dynamic field, and new discoveries can lead to changes in the classification of organisms.