Define a taxon. Give some examples of taxa at different hierarchical levels?
The correct answer and explanation is :
A taxon (plural: taxa) is a group of one or more organisms classified together based on shared characteristics. Taxa are hierarchical units in biological classification (taxonomy) and can represent different levels, from broad categories like domains to specific ones like species.
Examples of Taxa at Different Hierarchical Levels:
- Domain – Eukarya (includes all organisms with eukaryotic cells, such as plants, animals, fungi, and protists)
- Kingdom – Animalia (multicellular, heterotrophic organisms)
- Phylum – Chordata (animals with a notochord, such as mammals, birds, reptiles)
- Class – Mammalia (warm-blooded, milk-producing animals)
- Order – Primates (includes humans, monkeys, and apes)
- Family – Hominidae (great apes, including humans, chimpanzees, and gorillas)
- Genus – Homo (includes modern humans and closely related extinct species)
- Species – Homo sapiens (modern humans)
Explanation (300 Words)
Taxonomy is the scientific system of classifying organisms into hierarchical categories based on similarities and evolutionary relationships. Each level of classification is called a taxonomic rank, and each group within a rank is called a taxon.
The broadest taxon is the domain, which divides life into three major groups: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya. Each domain consists of multiple kingdoms, such as Animalia and Plantae in Eukarya. The kingdom is further divided into phyla, which classify organisms based on major structural characteristics.
Within a phylum, organisms are grouped into classes, which are divided into orders, then families, and finally genera. The most specific level is the species, which includes organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
Taxonomy follows a hierarchical structure, meaning higher taxa encompass broader groups, while lower taxa are more specific. For example, all mammals belong to the class Mammalia, but humans specifically belong to the species Homo sapiens.
Understanding taxa is essential in biology for classifying biodiversity, studying evolutionary relationships, and organizing species systematically. Scientific names (binomial nomenclature), introduced by Carl Linnaeus, ensure precise identification of organisms worldwide.