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

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

Source: NCERT Class 11 Biology Chapter 1 – The Living World Question 11

The taxonomical hierarchy is a system of classification that organizes organisms into nested categories based on their characteristics and relationships. The main levels of the hierarchy are:

Kingdom: The largest and most inclusive category, which groups organisms into broad groups such as animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria.

Phylum: A lower level of classification within a kingdom, which groups organisms into more specific groups based on characteristics such as body plan or mode of reproduction.

Class: A lower level of classification within a phylum, which groups organisms into even more specific groups based on characteristics such as body shape, size, or method of locomotion.

Order: A lower level of classification within a class, which groups organisms into even more specific groups based on characteristics such as diet, behavior or anatomy.

Family: A lower level of classification within an order, which groups organisms into even more specific groups based on characteristics such as the shape or structure of certain body parts.

Genus: A lower level of classification within a family, which groups organisms into even more specific groups based on characteristics such as the characteristics of the reproductive system, DNA or other molecular features.

Species: The lowest level of classification, which groups organisms into groups of individuals that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Here is an example of a plant and an animal to illustrate the taxonomical hierarchy:

Plant: A rose (Rosa sp.)

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Tracheophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Rosales

Family: Rosaceae

Genus: Rosa

Species: Rosa sp.

Animal: A Lion (Panthera leo)

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Felidae

Genus: Panthera

Species: Panthera leo

It's worth mentioning that these classifications might not be absolute and some scientists or different fields of study might use different criteria for classification. Also, as new information and technology become available, the classification of organisms can change, and some organisms might be reclassified into different groups.

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.