It refers to the classification of living organisms into different groups.
Kingdom is ranked at the highest level of the hierarchy and species is at the lowest rank , which is the basic unit of classification.
- Organisms are arranged into groups/levels according to their similarities and dissimilarities.
- As we go up the hierarchy , the organisms have more similarities.
Species
Species is a group of individuals consisting of a number of organisms with similar characteristics which are able to breed among themselves to give rise to a fertile offspring .
For Example: Ursus arctos belong to species.
Genus:
It is a group of species which have less characters in common as compared to species. Members of genus have identical reproductive organs.
For Example: Ursus belong to Genus.
Family:
A family is the level of classification which consists of a number of Genus with similar characteristics.
For Example: Ursidae belong to family.
Order:
An order is the level of classification which consists of a number of families with similar characteristics.
For Example: Carnivora belong to order.
Class:
A class is the level of classification which represents organisms of related orders.
For Example: Mammalia belong to Class.
Phylum/Division:
It includes all organisms belonging to different classes having a few common characteristics.
For Example: All animals belong to the phylum Chordata.
Kingdom:
A kingdom is the highest level of classification which includes all organisms who share a set of distinguishable common characters.
For Example: Animal Kingdom
