Question

What do we mean by characteristics ?
A. Complete details of the individual
B. Functions of the individual
C. Structure of the individual
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Characteristics are often referred to as features, these are the unique properties of an individual or any substance or topic which can be used to define it and makes it unique.

Complete Answer:
- When we describe anything, we often see its characteristics because characteristics provide a lot of information about anything which has to be described or explained in detail.
- We can write characteristics for almost anything, such as, for any living object, any non living object, any disease or disorder, any phenomenon, any event that is taking place or anything.
- Characteristics provide us with a platform for defining, understanding and to study the details in depth of any topic. Along with them, examples are usually considered to get a better understanding.
- We often write characteristics in any writing substance such as an article, essay and even in biology we use it to classify organisms in their various kingdoms or divisions and so on.
- In the year 1969, R.H. Whittaker gave a five kingdom classification by studying the characteristics of organisms present on earth. On the basis of these, he gave 5 kingdoms such as Monera, Protista, Fungi, plantae, animalia.
- All early attempts of classifications were done only on the basis of characteristics of organisms and there were certain changes done in it only by considering other features which changed the criteria for classification.
- We get systematic data or information only on the basis of characteristics. We compare one thing with the other only by studying characteristics of two comparing species and dividing them.
- We decide the criteria for classification only by studying the characteristics. Every time it changes, there is a change in the criteria also. Therefore organisms are also separated from each other and shifted to some other group.
- For example, the protist members like paramecium and amoeba were earlier placed in animal kingdom because cell wall was taken into consideration, but then the criteria changed, other characteristics were considered and then they were shifted to kingdom protista.



Note: It is strongly believed by biologists around the world that similar changes will take place in future too if we change the criteria for classification. Human evolution is greatly studied by observing their characteristics. The various fossils found helped us to differentiate between various hominid stages like Homo erectus, Homo habilis and Homo sapiens.