A researcher classifies a newly discovered organism in the class taxonomy level. What other taxonomic level is this new organism classified in?

Question

A researcher classifies a newly discovered organism in the class taxonomy level. What other taxonomic level is this new organism classified in??  
A. Order  
B. Family  
C. Species  
D. Kingdom

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: (D)Kingdom. 
Rationale: Due to the nested, hierarchical nature of biological classification, an organism assigned to a Class is automatically a member of all the higher, more inclusive ranks, including Kingdom.The Linnaean taxonomic system is a hierarchy where each level is contained within the level above it. The sequence from broadest to most specific is: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species. Therefore, definitively placing an organism in a Class inherently implies its membership in the ranks superior to Class, its specific Phylum and Kingdom.A) OrderOrder is a taxonomic rank more specific than Class. The hierarchy flows from Class to Order. Placing an organism in a Class indicates a broad categorization; the specific Order within that Class has not yet been determined. The organism will eventually be placed into an Order, but its classification at the Class level does not automatically specify which Order.B) FamilyFamily is an even more specific rank than Order, situated two levels below Class. Determining an organism’s Family requires more detailed analysis than is needed for Class placement. Assignment to a Class provides no information about its Family; that is a subsequent, finer level of classification.C) SpeciesSpecies is the most fundamental and specific unit of classification. Determining an organism’s species is often the final step, involving detailed morphological, genetic, and ecological data. Classifying an organism at the Class level is a very broad grouping that encompasses many different orders, families, genera, and species. Therefore, the species remains unknown at this stage.D) KingdomKingdom is a major, high-level taxonomic rank more inclusive than Phylum and Class. The hierarchical structure dictates that all organisms within a given Class also belong to the Phylum and Kingdom that contain that Class. By definitively assigning the organism to a Class, the researcher has necessarily placed it within a specific Phylum and Kingdom.Conclusion:In a nested hierarchical system, classification at a given level confirms membership at all higher levels. An organism placed in a Class is confirmed to belong to a particular Kingdom and Phylum. It is not, however, classified into the more specific subordinate levels like Order, Family, or Species until further analysis is conducted. Therefore, Kingdom is a confirmed level of classification once the Class is known.

A researcher classifies a newly discovered organism in the class taxonomy level. What other taxonomic level is this new organism classified in?

A
Order

B
Family

C
Species

D
Kingdom

Due to the nested, hierarchical nature of biological classification, an organism assigned to a Class is automatically a member of all the higher, more inclusive ranks, including Kingdom.

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Related Questions

A researcher classifies a newly discovered organism in the class taxonomy level. What other taxonomic level is this new organism classified in?

A Order B Family C Species D Kingdom

Due to the nested, hierarchical nature of biological classification, an organism assigned to a Class is automatically a member of all the higher, more inclusive ranks, including Kingdom.

Topic Flashcards

Mini Quiz

Related Questions

A
Order

B
Family

C
Species

D
Kingdom