Life on Earth started billions of years ago and has been going strong ever since. Smaller and simpler organisms appeared first as the environment changed, and as the environment changed, simple organisms evolved into complex organisms to survive in the changing climate environment. The term “evolution” is used to describe this process. Charles Darwin provided a more comprehensive explanation of the phenomenon of the emergence of life and the evolution of life in his works and writings.
Evolution is linked to classification due to two major inferences drawn from the theory of evolution:
Lower organisms are those that have not evolved over time and have been able to survive for long periods of time by maintaining their basic and primitive body structures.
Higher organisms are relatively new, and they have evolved complex body functions in order to survive and reproduce, as well as to produce more healthy progenies, in order to ensure the survival of their race.
What is the definition of diversity in the living world?
The earth is dominated by a diverse range of living things that live on land, in water, on ice, in desserts, and so on. In terms of form, body functions, genetic make-up, and so on, each living being is unique.
Different structural organs or functions have evolved as a result of the conditions of their habitat in living organisms found in various habitats. Organisms have adapted to their changing habitats through evolution.
Biodiversity refers to the various types and classifications of organisms that live in various habitats. Mega-biodiversity refers to the diversity of species found in warm, humid environments.
Humans are descendants of apes. However, they no longer resemble one another in any manner. Furthermore, each individual is distinct from the other.
Every person has a unique skin tone, hair colour, eye colour, and, most importantly, genetic makeup. That is to say, each individual’s genes are unique.
To help us recognise species more easily, we’ve defined categories of creatures that share some functional and anatomical similarities. This is what classification is all about. The classification of organisms is influenced by a number of things.
Classification System
The classification of organisms is accomplished through the use of two methods. Among the classification systems used are those that divide organisms into plants and animals, and those that use a five-kingdom system that provides a more detailed and organised classification of organisms:
Two – Kingdom Classification
Carolus Linnaeus devised a two-kingdom classification. Plants and animals were the two categories of organisms that he classified.
The following are some of the limitations of the two-kingdom classification:
- Organisms are classified as either plants or animals according to this classification system. Primitive organisms, on the other hand, were neither of these two types of organisms.
- Fungi are a distinct class of organisms with a distinct structure, physiology, and mode of reproduction from other organisms.
- Lower organisms are not divided into either of the groups according to the classification.
- According to this system, the class of decomposers is not clearly defined.
Five – Kingdom Classification
Whittaker divided the organisms into five different classes,
- Monera
- Protista
- Fungi
- Plantae
- Animalia
Hierarchy of Classification
At different levels of taxonomic classification, Carolus Linnaeus organised the organisms into different taxonomic groups. These taxonomic groups are listed in the following order, in alphabetical order:
- Kingdom
- Phylum
- Class
- Order
- Family
- Genus
- Species
Kingdom Animalia
- Even though these organisms are multicellular and eukaryotic in nature, they do not appear to have cell walls.
- They are heterotrophs, which means that they are organisms that cannot produce their own food.
- The organisms have a wide range of genetic variations.
- They are organised on an organ-system level.
Earthworms, Hydra, and other organisms are examples.
Conclusion
Everywhere on the planet, there is a great deal of variety in living organisms to be found. The warm and humid regions of the earth are home to a wide variety of species, earning them the title of “region of mega biodiversity.” There are 12 countries in the world that contain more than half of the world’s biodiversity. India is one of these countries. Each individual possesses a distinct DNA make-up. Human beings differ in the way we appear and the various characteristics that contribute to our appearance, such as our height, complexion, and so on. Comparing ourselves with a different species, such as a horse or a fish, we would undoubtedly differ significantly in almost all aspects; however, if a horse is compared to a horse, we would only be able to discern a few distinctions between the two.