Question

Define and understand the following terms:

(i) Phylum (ii) Class (iii) Family (iv) Order (v) Genus

Answer 1

(i) Phylum

1. Phylum is the primary division of kingdom.
2. It includes one or more related classes of animals.
3. In plants, the term ‘division’ is used instead of phylum.

(ii) Class

1. Class is a taxonomic group consisting of one or more related orders.
2. For example, the class, Mammalia, includes many orders.

(iii) Family

1. Family is a taxonomic group containing one or more related genera.
2. In plants, families are categorized on the basis of vegetative and reproductive features.

(iv) Order

1. Order is a taxonomic group containing one or more families.
2. For example, the order, carnivore, includes many families.

(v) Genus

1. Genus is a taxonomic group including closely related species.
2. For example, the Solanum genus includes many species such as nigrum, melongena, tuberosum etc.