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FFF  Characterisation, identification,
LIVING WORLD classification and nomenclature are the
processes that are basic to taxonomy
1. Characterisation:
DIVERSITY IN THE LIVING It is the understanding of characters of
WORLD organisms such as external and internal
structure, structure of cell, development
 The number and types of organisms
process, ecological information etc.
present on earth is called Biodiversity.
2. Identification:
 The number of species that are known
 Nomenclature is only possible when the
and described range between 1.7-1.8
organism is described correctly and we
million.
know to what organism the name is
SYSTEMATICS attached to. This is called identification.
 The study of different kinds of organisms 3. Classification:
and their diversities, and also the  It is the grouping of organisms into
relationships among them is called convenient categories (taxa) based on
systematics. characters.
 The word systematics is derived from the  Based on characteristics, all living
Latin word ‘systema’ which means organisms can be classified into different
systematic arrangement of organisms. taxa. This process of classification is
 Linnaeus used Systema Naturae as the taxonomy
title of his publication. Q) Why living organisms classified?
 The scope of systematics was later Ans : it is nearly impossible to study all the
enlarged to include identification, living organisms, it is necessary to devise
nomenclature and classification. some means to make this possible. This
 Systematics takes into account process is classification. Classification is the
evolutionary relationships between process by which anything is grouped into
organisms. convenient categories based on some easily
observable characters.
TAXONOMY The scientific term for these categories is
 Based on characteristics, all living ‘taxa’ based on characteristics, all living
organisms can be classified into different organisms can be classified into different
taxa. This process of classification is taxa. This process of classification is
taxonomy. taxonomy
 External and internal structure, along with 4. Nomenclature (naming):
the structure of cell, development process It is the providing of standardized names to
and ecological information of organisms the organisms such that a particular organism
are essential and form the basis of is known by the same name all over the
modern taxonomic studies world.

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Q) Why the names of living organism should nomenclature. This naming system given
be standardised ? by Carolus Linnaeus is being practised by
Ans: There are millions of plants and animals biologists all over the world
in the world; we know the plants and animals Universal rules of nomenclature
in our own area by their local names. These 1. Biological names are generally in Latin and
local names would vary from place to place, written in italics. They are Latinised or
even within a country, hence, there is a need derived from Latin irrespective of their
to standardise the naming of living organisms origin.
such that a particular organism is known by 2. The first word in a biological name
the same name all over the world. This represents the genus while the second
process is called nomenclature. The scientific component denotes the specific epithet.
names ensure that each organism has only 3. Both the words in a biological name, when
one name. It also ensure that such a name handwritten, are separately underlined,
has not been used for any other known or printed in italics to indicate their Latin
organism origin.
4. The first word denoting the genus starts
Who can give scientific names? with a capital letter while the specific
 Anyone can study, describe, identify and epithet starts with a small letter. It can be
give a name to an organism provided illustrated with the example of Mangifera
certain universal rules are followed. These indica.
rules are framed and standardised by two  Name of the author appears after the specific
organizations epithet, i.e., at the end of the biological name and
is written in an abbreviated form,
a) For plants, scientific names are based
e.g., Mangifera indica Linn. It indicates that this
on agreed principles and criteria,
species was first described by Linnaeus
which are provided in International
Code for Botanical Nomenclature
TAXONOMIC CATEGORIES
(ICBN).
 Classification is not a single step process but
b) Animal taxonomists have evolved
involves hierarchy of steps in which each step
International Code of Zoological
represents a rank or category. Since the
Nomenclature (ICZN). category is a part of overall taxonomic
arrangement, it is called the taxonomic
Binomial Nomenclature category and all categories together
constitute the taxonomic hierarchy.
 Biologists follow universally accepted
 Taxonomical studies of all known organisms
principles to provide scientific names to
have led to the development of common
known organisms.
categories such as kingdom, phylum or
 Each name has two components – division (for plants), class, order, family,
 The Generic name and genus and species.
 The specific epithet.  Each category, referred to as a unit of
 This system of providing a name with two classification, in fact, represents a rank and is
components is called Binomial commonly termed as taxon (pl.: taxa).
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Genus
 It is a group of related species, which
resemble one another .
For example:
1. Potato, tomato and brinjal are three
different species but all belong to the
genus Solanum.
2. Lion (Panthera leo), leopard (P. pardus)
and tiger (P. tigris) with several common
features, are all species of the genus
Panthera.
Taxonomic categories showing hierarchial
arrangement in ascending order  Felis (Genus) which includes cats
Family
 Similar genera are grouped under family.
Species
 Family, has a group of related genera
 It is the lowest or basic unit or lowest
with still less number of similarities as
category in taxonomic hierarchy.
compared to genus and species
 Species are group of closely related
For example
organism which are genetically distinct
1-Three different genera Solanum,
and are capable of interbreeding to
Petunia and Datura are placed in the
produce fertile offspring. This definition is
family Solanaceae.
given by Ernst Mayr (Darwin of 20th
2. Genus Panthera, comprising lion, tiger,
century)
leopard is put along with genus, Felis
Eg: Mangifera indica,
(cats) in the family Felidae
Solanum tuberosum (potato) and
3. Dog coming under family canidae
Panthera leo (lion).
All the above three names, indica,
tuberosum and leo, represent the specific Order
epithets  It is a group of related families resembling
 Each genus may have one or more than one another in a few characters
one specific epithets representing For example
different organisms, but having 1.Plant families like Convolvulaceae,
morphological similarities Solanaceae are included in the order
For example: Panthera has another Polymoniales mainly based on the floral
specific epithet called tigris and Solanum characters.
includes species like nigrum and 2.The animal order, Carnivora, includes
melongena families like Felidae and Cancidae
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Class
 It is a group of related orders having
some common characters.
For example,
1.Order Primata comprising monkey,
gorilla and gibbon is placed in class
Mammalia along with order Carnivora
that includes animals like tiger, cat and
dog. Class Mammalia has other orders
also
Phylum
 It is group of related class having some
Taxonomical Aids
common features.
 Taxonomic studies of various species of
In case of plants, classes with a few similar
plants, animals and other organisms are
characters are assigned to a higher useful in agriculture, forestry, industry and
category called Division in general in knowing our bio-resources
Kingdom and their diversity.
 These studies would require correct
 All animals belonging to various phyla
classification and identification of
are assigned to the highest category
organisms.
called Kingdom Animalia in the  Identification of organisms requires
classification system of animals. intensive laboratory and field studies.
 All Plants belonging to various divisions  The collection of actual specimens of plant
are assigned to the highest category and animal species is essential and is the
called Kingdom Plantae prime source of taxonomic studies.
 It is used for classification of an organism,
 As we go higher from species to
and the information gathered is also
kingdom, the number of common
stored along with the specimens. In some
characteristics goes on decreasing cases the specimen is preserved for future
 Lower the taxa, more are the studies.
characteristics that the members  Biologists have established certain
within the taxon share. procedures and techniques to store and
preserve the information as well as the
specimens. Some of these taxonomic aids
are explained below
1. Herbarium
 Herbarium is a store house of collected
plant specimens that are dried, pressed
and preserved on sheets.
 Further, these sheets are arranged.
according to a universally accepted system
of classification.
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 These specimens, along with their Other Taxonomic Aids
descriptions on herbarium sheets, become Besides above mentioned taxonomic aids,
a store house or repository for future use . Flora, manuals, monographs and catalogues
are some other means of recording
 The herbarium sheets also carry a label
descriptions and also serves as taxonomic aid
providing information about date and for correct identification
place of collection, English, local and
Flora
botanical names, family, collector’s
 It contains the actual account of habitat
name, etc.
and distribution of plants of a given area.
 Thus Herbaria also serve as quick referral
 These provide the index to the plant
systems in taxonomical studies.
species found in a particular area.
Manuals
 They are useful in providing information
for identification of names of species
found in an area.
Monographs
 It contains information on any one taxon.
Catalogues
 They are list or register containing names
of all the species found in a particular
place.

2. Key
 Key is another taxonomical aid used for
identification of plants and animals based
on the similarities and dissimilarities.
 Each statement in the key is called a lead.
 The keys are based on the contrasting
characters generally in a pair called
couplet. It represents the choice made
between two opposite options. This SCAN QR Code for video class
results in acceptance of only one and
rejection of the other
 Separate taxonomic keys are required for
each taxonomic category such as family,
genus and species for identification
purposes.
 Keys are generally analytical in nature.
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Previous Years Question Paper
1. Scientific name of lion is given below. Which one
is correctly written ? (HSE-March 2023 )(1)
(a) Panthera leo
(b) pantheraleo
(c) Panthera Leo
(d) panthera Leo 11. Rearrange the following taxonomic categories in
1. Musca domestica is the binomial nomenclature of the correct sequence. (HSE-March-
housefly. 2018)(1)
(a) Identify the Generic name and specific epithet.
(b) Mention the phylum and class of Musca
domestica. (HSE-JUNE-2022)(2)
12. ICZN stands for (HSE-model-2018)(1)
2. How does a manual helpful in taxonomy ? a) International Council of Zoological
(HSE-SAY/IMP JAN 2022)(2) Nomenclature
3. Match the hexagons with stars correctly b) Indian Council of Zoological Nomenclature
(HSE-Sept-2021)(2) c) International Code of Zoological Nomenclature
d) IndianCode of Zoological Nomenclature
13. Find out the odd one on the basis of
taxonomy and justify your answer
(HSE-July-2017)(1)
a)Family
b)Order
c)Class
4. The description containing information on d)Herbarium
any one taxon is called (HSE Dec-2020)(1) e)Phylum
a)Flora b)Manual c)Monograph d)Key 14. Select the correct sequence of taxonomic
5. Expand the following (HSE Dec-2020)(2) hierarchy. (HSE-March-2017)(1)
a)ICBN b)ICZN a)Kingdom-Phylum-class-order-genus-family-
6. Unit of classification is _______. species
(a) Taxon (b) Species b)Kingdom-phylum,order-class-family-genus-
(c) Genus (d) Cell (HSE-March 2020) (1) species
7. .............is the taxonomical aid based on c)Kingdom-Phylum-class order-Family-Genus-
contrasting characters generally in a pair Species
called couplet. (HSE-july-2019)(1) d)Kingdom-Class-Phylum-Family-Order-
8. Binomial nomenclature was proposed by ............ Species-Genus
(HSE-March-2019)(1) 15. Observe the first pair of words and write a
9. Given below the scientific name of frog. suitable word for the second pair
Identify the correctly written name Botanical garden : Living plants
a)Rana Tigrina ...........................: Living animals
b)Ranol tigrina (HSE-Model-2019)(1) (HSE Sept-2016)(1)
10. Which among the following represents the 16. During adventure trip a plus one student got a
CORRECT sequence? . (HSE-Aug-2018)(1) skull and skeletal part of rare animal from the
Chinnar forest. Select suitable location for
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keeping it from the list taxonomical aids given following for the preservation of specimens.
below (HSE March-2016)(1) (HSE MARCH-2013) (1)
(Herbarium, museum, zoological park, a) Herbarium b) Museum
Botanical garden) c) Zoological park d) Sanctuary
17. A student conceived the rules of Justify your answer
nomenclature as follows. If you find any 23. Categorize the following terms into two. Give
mistake in the underlined portions, correct suitable title for each category.
them with appropriate words (HSE-SEPTEMBER-2012)(1)
(HSE September-2015) (1) Species, museum, class, genus,
a. The first word in a biological name zoological park, herbarium
represent species and begins with a 24. Taxonomical aids are very useful for
Capital letter classification and identification of organisms.
b. The second word represents Genus and Name any two taxonomical aid
begins with a small letter (HSE MARCH-2012)(1)
18. Complete the tale using suitable terms 25. Note the relationship between the first two
(HSE MARCH-2015 ) (1) words and suggest suitable word for the
Common Genus Species Class Phyl fourth place (HSE MARCH-2011) (2×1/2=1)
name um a. Collection of living plants : botanical
Man Sapiens Mammalia garden, animals kept in protected
19. Select the correct Generic name and specific environment: ......................
epithet from the table given below and write b. Homo sapiens :Man,
the scientific name of House fly Musca domestica :...............
(HSE AUGUST-2014) (1) 26. Rearrange the following in correct taxonomic
Generic name Specific epithet hierarchical sequence (HSE MARCH-2010) (1)
Mangifera domestica Sapiens->Hominidae->Homo->Mammalia-
Musca indica >Primata->Chordata
20. Align the taxonomical categories in the 27. Raju collected a skull of animal and a living
ascending order. (HSE MARCH-2014)(1) rare animal during a study tour. Select the
(Genus, order, phylum, species, family, class, suitable location for each from the list given
kingdom) in the brackets (HSE MARCH-2009)(1)
21. Rearrange both the biological category and (Botanical garden, Zoological park,
taxon based on taxonomical hierarchy Herbarium, Museum)
(HSE OCTOBER-2013) (1)
(Hint-The last two terms of taxon will give the
scientific name of house fly)

Category Taxon
Phylum Musca
Genus Insecta
Class Arthropoda
Species Domestica
22. After completing a project study based on
diversity of spiders, the specimens were
intended to e stored for future reference.
Select a suitable taxonomical aid from the
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