Question

What are the difficulties that you would face in classification of animals, if common fundamental features are not taken into account?

Answer 1

Hint:-Biological classification means the arrangement of organisms in a systematic pattern into different groups where those having similarities are placed together. Classification is critical to compare different organisms, study and understand their relationships, evolutionary growth, and significance.

Complete Answer:-
Every organism shows a set of characters that defines the organism. Biologists segregate organisms on the basis of these characteristics. Organisms which show more similarities or affinities are placed together in similar kinds of groups. This is done by taking into account certain fundamental characters. In animal classification, the fundamental characters include the level of organization, symmetry, presence of embryonic germ layers, types of coelom, segmentation, presence or absence of notochord, etc. This method is useful to broadly place an animal in their respective groups. The specific characters of an animal are studied to further differentiate it from other similar kinds of animals and place it into a different subgroup. Had the fundamental characters not been taken into account then it would have been very difficult for biologists to form a basis of classification for any organism. Even the grading of an animal into lower and higher animals could not be done. It would have been impossible to analyze the interrelationship between organisms, their evolutionary line of descent, and their importance.

Note:- Kingdom Animalia is a diverse group of multicellular organisms. Because of their common characteristic features, they are categorized together in a single kingdom. The most significant characteristics of animals define them as eukaryotic organisms who are motile, and heterotrophic in nature. They are sensitive to their environment and respond to stimuli. They show division of labour where cells being the smallest functional units, organize to form tissues, organs, and organ systems.