12.7.1 The hierarchical nature of classification

Last updated at July 3, 2026 by

πŸ’‘ Life’s address

Classification works like an address — from a broad kingdom down to a single species, each step narrows to organisms sharing more and more features.

What is the hierarchy of classification?
Levels of Classification Kingdom - Phylum - Class Order - Family Genus - Species Lower levels share more features
  • Classification follows a step-by-step order from broad groups to specific ones.
  • The levels are Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species .
  • At each lower level, organisms share more common features , and every lower group is part of the group above it (Fig. 12.17).

NCERT Question 12 — In the classification hierarchy, which

In the classification hierarchy, which group — class or genus — has fewer members but more features in common? Explain your answer.
View Answer →

Table — Classification of the tiger and the pea plant (Fig. 12.17)

Level Tiger Pea
Kingdom Animalia Plantae
Phylum Chordata Magnoliophyta
Class Mammalia Magnoliopsida
Order Carnivora Fabales
Family Felidae Fabaceae
Genus Panthera Pisum
Species P. tigris P. sativum
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