Jain Biology

Author(s): Jethalal S Zaveri, Mahendramuni
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 28

CLASSIFICATION
Since we have to deal with hundreds of thousands of different varieties of living organisms, the systematic study demands an efficient and fool-proof system of classification , i.e., arrangement of all varieties (of animals and plants) in a series of groups). Both Biology and Scriptures, have their own systems of classification.
Living organisms which inhabit this earth exhibit a great variety of form, size, and structure. Plants range from simple algae (microscopic water plants) and fungi to huge trees like banyan and pines; while animals range from simple protozoa (a single-cell led microscopic organism) and sponges to elephants and whales. In order to understand such diverse groups of plants and animals, it is necessary to group or classify them in a logical system. The branch of biology which deals with classification, identification and naming of plants and animals is called taxonomy.
UNITS OF CLASSIFICATION
The basic unit is the SPECIES, e.g., housefly, musca domestics, and similar species are grouped into GENERA, (sing. Genus) e.g. Musca is the genus, and the domestica is the species.
1. SPECIES: A species is a group of organisms which resemble each other in all important characteristics. The members of a species are capable of inter-breeding, e.g., all varieties of mango plants, (or all varieties of roses or all races of human beings) belong to the same species. Variations in size, shape and colour forin varieties. A species may consist of several varieties or none at all.
2. GENUS: A genus is a group of similar and related species. Thus orange, lemon and grape fruit which belong to different species are grouped into a genus Citrus; similarly, lion, tiger, and the common cat, are grouped into a genus-Felis.
3. Similar genera are grouped into Family,
4. Similar families are grouped into Order,
5. Similar orders are grouped into Series, JAIN BIOLOGY
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