Define Phylum.

Define Phylum.

Solution: Source: NCERT Class 11 Biology Chapter 1 – The Living World Question 9 (i)

A phylum (plural: phyla) is a level of classification in the Linnaean system of taxonomy. It is used to group organisms that are more closely related than those in different kingdoms, based on more specific characteristics such as body plans, internal structure and physiology. The phylum level is one step below the Kingdom and above the class level.

Phyla provide a way to organize and communicate information about different groups of organisms and make predictions about their characteristics and behavior. For example, the phylum Chordata includes all animals that have a notochord, which is a flexible rod that runs along the back of the animal and provides support and flexibility. Chordata phyla includes all the vertebrates, like fish, reptiles, birds and mammals, as well as some invertebrates like the sea squirts and lancelets.

It's important to note that the number of phyla used and their content can change as new discoveries and research updates the classification system. Also different classification systems can use different criteria for grouping organisms into phyla, but regardless the criteria the main goal is to group organism that have a closer relationship than those in different kingdoms.

Additionally, it's worth noting that the concept of Phylum is not only used in the animal kingdom, but also in other branches of the tree of life such as plants, fungi, and microorganisms. Within the plant kingdom, for example, the phylum Tracheophyta includes all vascular plants, which are plants that have specialized structures for transporting water and nutrients. Within the fungi kingdom, the phylum Ascomycota includes sac fungi, which produce spores in sacs called asci, while the phylum Basidiomycota includes club fungi, which produce spores on club-like structures called basidia.

It's also important to keep in mind that the classification of organisms into different phyla is based on a combination of various characteristics, not only morphological characteristics, but also molecular and genetic characteristics, that help to infer evolutionary relationships between different groups of organisms.

In summary, a Phylum is a level of classification in the Linnaean system of taxonomy, it is used to group organisms that are more closely related than those in different kingdoms, it serves as a way to organize and communicate information about different groups of organisms and predict their characteristics and behavior. The concept of Phylum is not limited to the animal kingdom but also applies to other branches of life such as plants, fungi and microorganisms. The classification of organisms into different phyla is based on a combination of various characteristics and evolutionary relationships.

Other questions from NCERT Class 11 Biology Chapter 1 The Living World Solutions:

Question 1: Why are living organisms classified?

Question 2: Why are the classification systems changing every now and then?

Question 3: What different criteria would you choose to classify people that you meet often?

Question 4: What do we learn from the identification of individuals and populations?

Question 5: Given below is the scientific name of Mango. Identify the correctly written name. Mangifera Indica or Mangifera indica

Question 6: Define a taxon. Give some examples of taxa at different hierarchical levels.

Question 7: Can you identify the correct sequence of taxonomical categories? (a) Species Order Phylum Kingdom (b) Genus Species Order Kingdom (c) Species Genus Order Phylum

Question 8: Try to collect all the currently accepted meanings for the word ‘species’. Discuss with your teacher the meaning of species in the case of higher plants and animals on the one hand and bacteria on the other hand.

Question 9:  Define and understand the following terms. (i) Phylum (ii) Class (iii) Family (iv) Order (v) Genus

Question 10: How is a key helpful in the identification and classification of an organism?

Question 11: Illustrate the taxonomical hierarchy with suitable examples of a plant and an animal.

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