Classifying Organisms

You have now seen that the binomial nomenclature gives each species a unique and unambiguous name. It is necessary lo group species into genera and genera into higher categories, as this would reveal more information regarding their similarities and relationships to one another. Thus, a number of closely related genera are grouped together into a Family; a number of closely related Families into a family; a number of closely related Orders Into a Class; a number of closely related Classes into a Phylum, (or Division in case or plants) and the various Phyla (or Divisions) into a Kingdom.

The highest categories thus, in classification arc the Kingdoms. Figure shows the 'main hierarchal taxonomic categories used in classification and gives you an idea of the classification of organisms.

Figure: The main taxonomic categories and the manner in which organism are classified (In plant taxonomy 'Division' is used instead of 'Phylum')