Which of the following taxonomic levels contains organisms that share the most recent common ancestor? a. family; b. order; c. phylum; d. genus; e. class

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the hierarchy of taxonomic classification in biology, which ranges from broad to specific categories: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species.
2. Recognize that the more specific the taxonomic category, the more characteristics the organisms within that category share.
3. Identify that a recent common ancestor implies a close relationship and shared characteristics among organisms.
4. Compare the given options (family, order, phylum, genus, class) to determine which is the most specific category, as this will indicate the closest relationship and the most recent common ancestor.
5. Conclude that the category 'genus' is more specific than family, order, phylum, and class, and thus organisms within the same genus share the most recent common ancestor.

Key Concepts

Taxonomy

Taxonomy is the science of classifying organisms into hierarchical categories based on shared characteristics and evolutionary relationships. The primary taxonomic ranks include domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. Understanding taxonomy is essential for identifying how closely related different organisms are and how they are grouped in the tree of life.

Common Ancestor

A common ancestor refers to a species from which two or more different species have evolved. In taxonomy, organisms that share a more recent common ancestor are grouped together at lower taxonomic levels, indicating closer evolutionary relationships. This concept is crucial for understanding the evolutionary lineage and the degree of relatedness among various organisms.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

The taxonomic hierarchy is a system that organizes biological diversity into ranked levels, from broad categories to specific ones. The hierarchy typically starts with domain and progresses through kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. The lower the taxonomic level, the more closely related the organisms are, with genus being one of the most specific levels where organisms share a recent common ancestor.