Question

Which of the following characters given below displays the description of lowest taxonomic category of organisms in the plant and animal kingdom?

• A. It includes one or more than one order.
• B. It is a group containing one or more families.
• C. It is a group of related organisms that resemble one another.
• D. It is a group of organisms that are closely related and share similar characteristics

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

4

Answer 2

The lowest taxonomic category in the plant and animal kingdom is species. We need to find the description among the given options that best describes a species.

Let's analyze each option:

(1) It includes one or more than one order. This describes a taxonomic rank higher than Order, such as Class or Phylum. This is incorrect.

(2) It is a group containing one or more families. This describes a taxonomic rank higher than Family, such as Order or Class. This is incorrect.

(3) It is a group of related organisms that resemble one another. This is a general description that could apply to various taxonomic levels, including genus or even family. For example, all species in the genus Panthera (lion, tiger, leopard, jaguar) are related and resemble one another, but they belong to different species. While members of a species do resemble each other, this description is not specific enough to uniquely define a species as the lowest category.

(4) It is a group of organisms that are closely related and share similar characteristics. This description emphasizes a higher degree of relatedness ("closely related") and similarity ("similar characteristics") than option (3). Members of the same species are the most closely related and share the most fundamental similar characteristics compared to members of higher taxonomic ranks. While the biological definition of a species involves the ability to interbreed and produce fertile offspring, among the given options focusing on relatedness and similarity, this description best fits the concept of a species.

Comparing options (3) and (4), option (4) provides a more specific description that aligns better with the characteristics of a species as the lowest taxonomic unit, where organisms are highly similar and closely related.