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.

Source: NCERT Class 11 Biology Chapter 1 – The Living World Question 8

The word "species" is used in different ways in different fields of study, but in general, it is used to refer to a group of organisms that are considered to be biologically similar and capable of interbreeding to produce viable offspring.

In traditional Linnaean taxonomy, species is the lowest and most specific level of classification, and it is used to group organisms that are similar in appearance and can interbreed to produce fertile offspring.

In evolutionary biology, species is a group of organisms that share a common ancestor and can interbreed to produce viable offspring but may be reproductively isolated from other groups of organisms.

In ecology, species refers to a group of organisms that share a common ecological niche and interact with each other and the environment in similar ways.

In molecular biology, species is a group of organisms that share a high degree of genetic similarity and can be distinguished from other groups of organisms based on their genetic makeup.

In the case of higher plants and animals, species is generally defined based on the ability of individuals to interbreed and produce viable offspring.

In the case of bacteria, however, the concept of species is more complex and can be determined based on different criteria such as genetic similarity, physiology, physiology, physiology, physiology and physiology. Because bacteria can reproduce asexually, they can have a lot of genetic variation and can be difficult to classify based on interbreeding alone, so other criteria like physiology, physiology, physiology, and physiology are commonly used to define species.

The definition of species can vary among different fields of study and can change over time as new information and technology become available. It is also worth noting that there are some organisms, such as hybrid species, which can be challenging to classify based on traditional criteria. And sometimes, organisms that look similar but belong to different species. Additionally, there are some organisms that are capable of interbreeding and producing viable offspring but are reproductively isolated from each other and do not interbreed in nature, these are known as Cryptic species.

In any case, it's important to remember that the concept of species is a human construct and that the boundaries between different groups of organisms are not always clear-cut. The classification of species is an ongoing process and it's important to consider different criteria and multiple perspectives when defining and classifying species.

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.