Describe the classification of organisms in the Eukarya domain into the taxonomic hierarchy of kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species

SouravNovember 1, 2024

Answer

Organisms within the domain Eukarya are classified into a hierarchical taxonomic system that includes several ranks: kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. This classification helps organize the vast diversity of eukaryotic life forms.

Taxonomic Hierarchy in Eukarya

1. Domain: Eukarya
   • This is the highest taxonomic rank for organisms with complex cells containing a membrane-bound nucleus.
2. Kingdom:
   • The Eukarya domain is divided into four primary kingdoms:
     • Animalia: Includes all animals.
     • Plantae: Comprises all plants.
     • Fungi: Encompasses fungi such as mushrooms and yeasts.
     • Protoctista: A diverse group that includes mostly unicellular organisms and some simple multicellular organisms.
3. Phylum:
   • Each kingdom is further divided into phyla (singular: phylum). For example:
     • Kingdom Animalia includes phyla such as Chordata (vertebrates) and Arthropoda (insects, arachnids).
     • Kingdom Plantae includes phyla like Angiosperms (flowering plants) and Gymnosperms (conifers).
4. Class:
   • Within each phylum, organisms are grouped into classes. For instance:
     • In Phylum Chordata, there are classes such as Mammalia (mammals) and Aves (birds).
     • In Phylum Angiosperms, classes include Dicotyledonae (dicots) and Monocotyledonae (monocots).
5. Order:
   • Classes are further divided into orders. For example:
     • Class Mammalia contains orders like Carnivora (carnivorous mammals) and Primates (primates).
     • Class Dicotyledonae includes orders such as Rosales (roses and their relatives).
6. Family:
   • Orders are subdivided into families. For instance:
     • Order Carnivora includes families like Canidae (dogs) and Felidae (cats).
     • Order Rosales contains families such as Rosaceae (roses) and Moraceae (figs).
7. Genus:
   • Families are broken down into genera (singular: genus). For example:
     • Family Canidae includes genera like Canis (dogs) and Vulpes (foxes).
     • Family Rosaceae includes genera such as Rosa (roses) and Malus (apples).
8. Species:
   • The species is the most specific level of classification, identifying individual organisms that can interbreed. For example:
     • The domestic dog is classified as Canis lupus familiaris.
     • The common rose is classified as Rosa rubiginosa.

Examples of Classification

• Wolf
  • Domain: Eukarya
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Carnivora
  • Family: Canidae
  • Genus: Canis
  • Species: lupus
• Hibiscus Plant
  • Domain: Eukarya
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Phylum: Angiospermae
  • Class: Dicotyledonae
  • Order: Malvales
  • Family: Malvaceae
  • Genus: Hibiscus
  • Species: rosa-sinensis

This hierarchical classification system not only aids in organizing living organisms but also reflects their evolutionary relationships and shared characteristics within the domain Eukarya.