Question

Question #3838e

Answer 1

Classification of organisms primarily groups organisms according to common characteristics.

Early classification used visual features only such as being single called or multicellular, or the presence or absence of complex roots and stem systems in plants or the presence of a vertebral column or absence of in animals ie vertebrates and invertebrates.

The division into plants and animals is related to the physiological ability of plants to make their own organic compounds from simple inorganic ingredients where as animals have to synthesise organic compounds from other organic compounds.

With the advance of biochemical analysis it is now possible to classify organisms at the finest level by virtue of biochemical pathways carried out. Eventually this may lead to new methods of classification. It is used substantially in the classification of bacteria and viruses.

The classification of organisms uses terms like KINGDOM, PHYLUM or DIVISION, CLASS, ORDER, FAMILY, GENUS, SPECIES.

SO. At its simplest level we have plant and animal kingdoms. The closer organisms resemble each other then the further down the list of classification we move ie Organisms of the same species are able to reproduce together and produce viable offspring that are themselves fertile. This is because they have the same homologous set of chromosomes carrying the same genes in the same order along their length.

Try listing a simple classification for plants and another for animals indicating the features that are used for the classification

Eg GYMNOSPERMS in plants or ANGIOSPERMS in plants, or MAMMALIA IN ANIMALS or ARACHNIDA IN ANIMALS.

THIS IS A REALLY INTERESTING SUBJECT. Classification groups follow a natural increase in complexity and can be used to track potential evolutionary trends from simple organisms to more complex.