Question

Which do you think is a more basic characteristic for classifying organisms?
a) The place where they live
b) The kind of cells they are made of. Why?

Answer 1

Hint:- All living organisms are classified into different groups based on shared characteristics. Organisms within each group are then further divided into smaller subgroups. The classification of living world includes the hierarchy of 7 levels i.e. kingdom -> phylum/division -> classes-> order-> families-> genus-> species.

Complete answer:-
The primary characteristic on which the broad division of organisms is made is the nature of cell and the organisms are classified into prokaryotic or eukaryotic. A eukaryotic cell consists of membrane-bound organelles and a nucleus, while these are absent in a prokaryotic cell.
The basic characteristic for classifying organisms is the kind of cells they are made of because different organisms can share the same habitat but may be entirely different while cellular level acts as the basic because cells form the basis for life and thus acts at the ground level. Therefore the place where they live cannot be a basis of classification. For example, a mango tree and a dog can live in the same area but are very distant biologically and morphologically. While one belongs to the Plant Kingdom the other belongs to an Animal Kingdom. But on consideration of their cells, they can be easily differentiated into a plant cell and animal cell.

Thus, the right option is .

Note:- The kind of cells an organism is made of is a more basic characteristic of classifying an organism because it gives a scientific edge to classification while a particular dwelling place can be full of various types of organisms. A habitat is a natural environment where an organism lives (and can fulfill basic needs like food, shelter, protection, and mates for reproduction) serves as a broad characteristic for classification. For example - earthworms, mosquitoes do not resemble each other except their common habitat.