Question

The term phylum was given by
A) Cuvier
B) Haeckel
C) Theophrastus
D) Linnaeus

Answer 1

Hint: A phylum is a level of classification rank above class and below kingdom. Classes comprising animals like fishes, amphibians, birds, reptiles, and mammals constitute the higher category called Phylum. All the Phylums are based on a large number of common features.

Complete answer:

The term Phylum was given by Ernst Haeckel. It is the basic division of the kingdom. It has one or more related classes of animals. In plants, the term ‘division’ is used instead of the phylum.

A) Cuvier did not give the term phylum. So it is the wrong option.

B) The term ‘phylum’ was coined by Haeckel, in 1866. It is from the Greek phylon. Hence option (B) is the correct option.

C) Theophrastus is the incorrect option. Because he had not given the term ‘phylum’.

D) Linnaeus is also a wrong option.

Additional Information: 

Taxonomy is the kind of naming science. It describes and classified organisms. It compromises all plants, animals, and microorganisms of the world. With the help of morphological, observable, detectable, genetic, and biochemical observations, the suitable names are given to the organisms. This is the branch of Biology which deals with the study and classifying the organisms.

Note: The phylum is the taxonomic rank, which is positioned below the kingdom and above the class. It is used to explain the animal's classifications. The division is the same term used for plants in place of phylum. Various organisms are placed in different phylums according to the main criteria known as the basis of classification.