Question

“Evolution and classification of organisms are interlinked.” Give reasons to justify this statement.

Answer 1

Organisms can be classified according to any number of criteria, including overall similarities, colors, ecological functions, etc. Mostly biological diversity is grouped according to the shared evolutionary history of organisms.

Complete Answer:
The classification of an organism is based on the relative similarities and differences between the species. It is also to be noted that the resemblances of humans or organisms are due to the fact that they are evolved from a common ancestor and their differences in adaptations to various types of climate.

The classification of organisms shows that organisms are closely related with respect to evolution. It is based on the assumption that each organism has descended from its ancestral type with some modification. For example, in a family, a brother and sister are closely related and they have a common ancestor, i.e., their parents.

Every species or organism has an inbuilt tendency for genetic variation which plays an important role in the origin of new species and forms the basis for evolution. The more characteristics two species have in common, the more closely they are related. And they are likely to have a common ancestor more recently.

Classification of organisms necessarily involves organizing them in different groups, based on the similarities and differences of characteristics. Classifying organisms helps us in recognizing the basic arrangement of a hierarchical structure among diverse species. So, the classification of species is a reflection of their evolutionary relationship. Thus, we can say that evolution and classification are interlinked.

Note: Phylogeny is the study of relationships among different groups of organisms and their evolutionary development. It makes an attempt to trace the evolutionary history of life on the planet.