Classification Systems - Practice Questions & MCQ

Artificial classification system

• System of classification in which the criteria is to use one or two morphological characters.
• This classification system does not take into consideration the other characteristics and evolutionary relationships between organisms.
• E.g. Aristotle classified animals into enaima and anaima on the basis of presence or absence of RBC in the blood respectively.

Natural classification system

• In this system of classification, along with simple morphological characters, other fundamental characters are also considered. 
• These characters can come from cytology, histology, developmental biology etc.
• Thus, this classification is based on natural characters of organisms.  
• E.g.  Benthem and Hooker classified plants on the basis of natural characters.

Phylogenetic classification system

• This classification system is based on the evolutionary relationships between organisms. 
• Thus, it functions to establish relationships among organisms. 
• The classification system proposed by Engler and Prantl is an example of Phylogenetic classification.