explain the different categories used in the scientific classification of organisms.
Taxonomic categories are the important categorization in the study of living organisms. Living organisms are the ones that possess characteristics of life. Basic characteristics of a living organism are response to stimulus, maintenance, development, growth, and reproduction.
Taxonomic categories are the different groups and levels in which different organisms have been classified based on their similarities and dissimilarities. These categories sort the organisms in different categories so as to ease their study and categorisation of new organisms. Modern taxonomic categories are:
1) Domain: It is the topmost category that includes only three categories, Eukarya, Bacteria, and Archaea. All the known organisms present on Earth have been classified into these three domains. The three domain system is given by Carl Woese in 1990.
2) Kingdom: Organisms in three domains are further classifies into five kingdoms, Plantae, Animalia, Fungi, Monera, and Protista.
3) Phylum: It is the next subcategory that lies next to Kingdom. Every kingdom has different phylum. In plants, the term division is used instead of phylum. More similar organisms among a Kingdom are categorised into one phylum.
4) Class: Each phylum has been further categorised into different classes. More similar organisms among a phylum are categorised into one class.
5) Order: Each class has been further categorised into different orders. More similar organisms among a class are categorised into one order.
6) Family: Each order has been further categorised into different family. More similar organisms among an order are categorised into one family.
7) Genus: Each family has been further categorised into different genus. More similar organisms among a family are categorised into one genus.
8) Species: Each genus has been further categorised into different species. More similar organisms among a genus are categorised into one species. Members of a species are reproductively compatible.
The genus and species name of an organism are used to denote its scientific name.
Trending now
This is a popular solution!
Step by step
Solved in 4 steps with 1 images
