Question

Artificial system of classification classifies plants on the basis of:
(A)One or very few characters
(B)Phylogenetic trends
(C)Many naturally existing characters
(D)None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: The classification is the arrangement of plants into groups and subgroups on the basis of similarities. The artificial system of classification was given by Carolus Linnaeus. He was a Swedish botanist. He outlined an artificial system of classification. The classification of Linnaeus is artificial.

Complete answer:
1. Linnaeus emphasised basic characteristics of sexual parts such as stamens and carpels. The Linnaeus system is also known as the sexual system. On the basis of number, size, length and union of stamens, he classified the plant kingdom into 24 classes.
2. Due to the Artificial system of classification, there is quick and easy identification of plants based on or a few characteristics. This system does not throw light on the relationship of plants with one another.
3. The artificial plant classification was a method of classifying plants based on a limited number of their physical and sexual characteristics.
4. In the artificial system of classification one or very few characters are considered as the key feature of classification. This classification is made on the absence or presence of particular character. In this classification very few species are included which were discovered until that time.

Hence the correct answer is option(A)

Note: Many important morphological characters are not taken in this system. Phylogeny among plants is totally ignored. In this system closely related plants are placed far apart while quite different species are placed together. The artificial system was based exclusively on floral characters which include number of stamens, distribution of stamens etc.