Question

Genus represents
A) an individual plant or animal
B) a collection of plants or animals
C) group of closely related species of plants or animals
D) none of these

Answer 1

A genus is a taxonomic category which is used for biological classification. It exists between the family and the species. It is the first word to be written in the case of the scientific name.

Complete answer:
Taxonomy is the branch of biology which deals with the classification, identification and naming of organisms. The classification is done on the basis of the taxonomic categories which are called the ranks. The order in which the classification is done is based on Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species.

Species is the lowest rank which comprises the genetically similar individuals of plants and animals. A genus is a group of closely related species. For example- Panthera tigris is the scientific name for tiger and Panthera Leo is for lion. They are different species or individuals but belong to the same genus Panthera.

A group of plants and animals along with its physical environment is called the ecosystem. In an ecosystem, all the components continuously interact with one another.

An individual plant or animal is known as species. They are capable of interbreeding.

Additional information: The highest category of the taxonomy is the Kingdom. The plants and animals are divided into five kingdoms according to the R.H Whittaker. The kingdoms include Animalia, Plantae, Protista, Monera, Fungi. The Protista are prokaryotic unicellular organisms. The eukaryotes show advanced cellular structure. Plantae and Animalia show the Organ and organ system level of organisation.

Therefore the correct answer is option ‘C’

Note: Linnaeus is known as the father of taxonomy. The taxonomic categories help in categorizing and organising the biodiversity present on our planet. It also explains the evolutionary and ancestral relationship between individuals.