MC BIOLOGY CLASSES

Page | 1 BY Dr. Madhusree Chatterjee

THE LIVING WORLD

NCERT+
1. Defining properties/features of living organisms are: cellular structure, metabolism &
consciousness (response to stimuli).
2. Principle of priority: It is the most important of all the rules of ICBN. If first name given
to the organism is valid (in terms of rules), that will be considered at the first
preference. Any other valid name given after that will be considered as synonym. No
names are recognized prior to those used by Linnaeus in 1758 in the 10th edition of
Systema Naturae for animals and 1753 for plants in Species Plantarum.
3. Difference between Taxonomy & Systematics:

TAXONOMY SYSTEMATICS
Derived from 2 Greek words Derived from Latin word
‘taxis’ and ‘nomos’. ‘systema’.
Includes identification, Includes identification,
nomenclature and classification nomenclature and classification
of organisms. of organisms along with
evolutionary study (phylogeny).

So, Systematics is taxonomy along with phylogeny.

4. Evolutionary studies are based on 16S rRNA sequence analysis.
5. Taxonomic categories
Classification is not a single step process. It involves hierarchy of steps in which each
step represents a rank or category. The category is a part of overall taxonomic
arrangement. So it is known as the taxonomic category.
All categories together make taxonomic hierarchy. Each category is also termed as a
unit of classification. It represents a rank and commonly called as a taxon. The seven
obligate categories, in which all living organisms classified are arranged in a descending
sequence starting from kingdom to species.
Higher the category, higher is the number of organisms in it.
Higher the category, fewer will be the number of common characters and greater is
the difficulty of determining the relationship to other taxa at the same level. Hence the
problem of classification becomes more complex.

Dr. Madhusree Chatterjee, Ph.D. For admission, call at 9007564255

 6. Species:
i. Term given by John Ray
ii. It is lowest and basic category of classification
iii. It is a group of naturally interbreeding population with the ability to produce
fertile offsprings.
Page | 2 7. Common names of
i. Solanum nigrum-Makoi or Black nightshade
ii. Solanum melongena-Brinjal/ egg plant
8. Monotypic Genus: Genus with only one species e.g. Homo sapiens
9. Polytypic Genus: Genus with more than one species e.g. Solanum nigrum, Solanum
melongena
10. Biological concept of species (given by Ernst Mayr): Species is the fundamental unit
of classification. A species is a group of organisms
i. Which are closely related (structurally and functionally) sharing a common
gene pool
ii. Which can interbreed freely in nature and produce fertile offspring in a natural
environment.
This concept of species is based upon reproductive isolation and known as biological
concept of species.

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Dr. Madhusree Chatterjee, Ph.D. For admission, call at 9007564255