Question

Which of the following is the correct sequence of taxonomic hierarchy?

• A. Kingdom $\rightarrow$ Phylum $\rightarrow$ Class $\rightarrow$ Order $\rightarrow$ Family $\rightarrow$ Genus $\rightarrow$ Species
• B. Species $\rightarrow$ Genus $\rightarrow$ Family $\rightarrow$ Order $\rightarrow$ Class $\rightarrow$ Phylum $\rightarrow$ Kingdom
• C. Kingdom $\rightarrow$ Class $\rightarrow$ Phylum $\rightarrow$ Order $\rightarrow$ Family $\rightarrow$ Genus $\rightarrow$ Species
• D. Phylum $\rightarrow$ Kingdom $\rightarrow$ Class $\rightarrow$ Order $\rightarrow$ Family $\rightarrow$ Genus $\rightarrow$ Species

Hint:

To easily remember the taxonomic hierarchy in descending order, use the popular English mnemonic:
"Keep Pots Clean or Family Gets Sick"
(K = Kingdom, P = Phylum, C = Class, O = Order, F = Family, G = Genus, S = Species).
This ensures you never mix up the sequence in exams.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
This question is from "The Living World," the first chapter of Class 11 biology, focusing on taxonomic categories and systematic biological classification.
We need to identify the correct sequential arrangement of taxonomic categories from the given options.

Step 2: Key Concept or Approach:
Taxonomic hierarchy is the stepwise arrangement of all categories of biological classification in either a decreasing (broadest to most specific) or an increasing (most specific to broadest) order.
The standard descending sequence contains seven obligate categories:
Kingdom $\rightarrow$ Phylum/Division $\rightarrow$ Class $\rightarrow$ Order $\rightarrow$ Family $\rightarrow$ Genus $\rightarrow$ Species.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:

• Let us analyze each taxonomic level from highest to lowest:
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Kingdom: The highest, most comprehensive category (e.g., Animalia, Plantae).
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Phylum / Division: A collection of related classes. Phylum is used for animals, while Division is used for plants.
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Class: A group of related orders.
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Order: A group of related families.
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Family: A group of related genera.
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Genus: A group of closely related species.
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Species: The basic, fundamental unit of classification containing individuals that are morphologically similar and capable of interbreeding.

• Let us evaluate the options:
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Option (A): Kingdom $\rightarrow$ Phylum $\rightarrow$ Class $\rightarrow$ Order $\rightarrow$ Family $\rightarrow$ Genus $\rightarrow$ Species. This represents the correct, standard descending sequence of classification.
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Option (B): Species $\rightarrow$ Genus $\rightarrow$ Family $\rightarrow$ Order $\rightarrow$ Class $\rightarrow$ Phylum $\rightarrow$ Kingdom. This represents the correct ascending order. However, descending hierarchy starting with Kingdom is conventionally considered the standard sequence in biological curricula.
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Options (C) and (D): These are incorrect sequences because they misplace the order of Phylum and Class or Phylum and Kingdom.



Step 4: Final Answer:
The correct sequence of the taxonomic hierarchy is Kingdom $\rightarrow$ Phylum $\rightarrow$ Class $\rightarrow$ Order $\rightarrow$ Family $\rightarrow$ Genus $\rightarrow$ Species, which corresponds to option (A).