Question

How would you choose between two characteristics to be used for developing a hierarchy in classification ?

Answer 1

For developing a hierarchy in classification, we choose the fundamental characteristics among other characteristics such as body design, locomotion, absence of cell wall etc. Plants differ from animals in the absence of locomotion, cell wall, chloroplast etc but locomotion is considered as fundamental feature to distinguish between plants and animals. This is because the absence of locomotion in plants gave rise to many structural changes such as the presence of a cell wall for protection, and the presence of chloroplast for photosynthesis (as they cannot move around in search of food like animals). Thus, all these features are a result of locomotion. Therefore, locomotion is considered to be a fundamental characteristic. By choosing the basic or fundamental characteristic, we can make broad divisions in living organisms as the next level of characteristic is dependent on these. This goes on to form a hierarchy of characteristics. So certain fundamental characteristics are used to develop hierarchy in classification.