In the classification hierarchy, which group—class or genus—has fewer members but more features in common? Explain your answer.
Genus has fewer members but more features in common compared to class.
In the classification hierarchy (Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species), classification moves from very broad groups to smaller and more specific ones. Since genus is at a lower level than class, it forms a smaller group with fewer members.
Furthermore, at each lower level of classification, organisms share more common features. Because genus is a lower and more specific group than class, the organisms grouped under a genus share a greater number of common features with each other than those grouped under a class.
Explanation
The textbook context explicitly outlines the hierarchical sequence from broad to specific groups: Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species. It states that as we move towards lower levels, the groups become smaller and organisms share more common features. Since 'genus' is lower in the hierarchy than 'class', it naturally has fewer members and more shared characteristics.
Solution Steps
Step 1: Identify the classification hierarchy from the context: Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species.
Step 2: Determine the relative positions of 'class' and 'genus'. Genus is at a lower level than class.
Step 3: Apply the rule from the context that lower groups are smaller (fewer members) and organisms share more common features at each lower level, concluding that genus has fewer members and more common features.