Question

The basic unit of classification is

• A. genus
• B. species
• C. family
• D. order

Answer 1

Correct option is B)

Species constitute a group of phenotypically similar organisms with common ancestry that can interbreed freely to produce fertile progeny and hence, is considered the basic unit of classification. Option B is correct. A genus is a taxonomic rank that constitutes single species of a monophyletic group of species that share a sum total of characters, though they cannot interbreed which makes option A incorrect. Since different subspecies and varieties of species can interbreed, they are not considered the unit of classification. This makes options C and D incorrect. Thus, the correct answer is option B.