How many phyla are represented in the following list of organisms: Echinococcus, Cyclospora, Aspergillus, Taenia, Toxoplasma, Trichinella?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the phylum for each organism in the list.
2. Echinococcus belongs to the phylum Platyhelminthes.
3. Cyclospora belongs to the phylum Apicomplexa.
4. Aspergillus belongs to the phylum Ascomycota.
5. Taenia belongs to the phylum Platyhelminthes.
6. Toxoplasma belongs to the phylum Apicomplexa.
7. Trichinella belongs to the phylum Nematoda.
8. Count the number of unique phyla represented by these organisms.

Key Concepts

Taxonomy

Taxonomy is the science of classifying organisms into hierarchical categories based on shared characteristics. It includes various ranks such as domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. Understanding taxonomy is essential for identifying the different phyla represented by the organisms listed in the question.

Phyla of Organisms

A phylum is a major taxonomic category that groups together organisms sharing a fundamental body plan or significant structural features. For example, Echinococcus and Taenia belong to the phylum Platyhelminthes, while Aspergillus is classified under the phylum Ascomycota. Recognizing the phyla of the listed organisms is crucial for determining how many distinct groups are represented.

Diversity of Life Forms

The diversity of life forms refers to the variety of different organisms that exist within various ecosystems, including their classification into different phyla. This diversity is important for understanding ecological relationships and evolutionary biology. In the context of the question, recognizing the diversity among the listed organisms helps in accurately counting the number of phyla represented.