HIGH-YIELD NEET FACTS — CL-05
Defining Feature
METABOLISM = anabolism + catabolism = DEFINING feature of life
- NOT growth (crystals grow), NOT reproduction (mules can't reproduce), NOT locomotion (plants can't)
Key People
| Person | Contribution |
|---|---|
| A.P. de Candolle | Coined the term "taxonomy" |
| Carolus Linnaeus | Established binomial nomenclature; wrote "Systema Naturae" |
Taxonomic Hierarchy (Most → Least Inclusive)
Kingdom → Phylum (Division*) → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species
*plants
Mnemonic: King Philip Came Over For Good Spaghetti
Binomial Nomenclature — GULL Rules
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| G Genus capitalized | First letter uppercase |
| U Underline separately | TWO underlines (handwriting); italicized (print) |
| L Latin/Latinized | Universal stability |
| L Lowercase species | All lowercase |
| + Author | Linn. after species name (not part of binomial) |
Key Classification Examples
| Organism | Order | Family |
|---|---|---|
| Human (Homo sapiens) | Primates | Hominidae |
| Housefly (Musca domestica) | Diptera | Muscidae |
| Wheat (Triticum aestivum) | Poales | Poaceae |
Taxonomic Aids (9)
| Specimen-Based | Publication-Based |
|---|---|
| Herbarium (dried plants) | Key — dichotomous couplets |
| Botanical Garden (living plants; Kew=England, Howrah=India) | Flora — regional plants |
| Museum (preserved: formalin/alcohol/stuffed) | Monograph — single taxon |
| Zoological Park (living animals) | Manual — regional identification |
| Catalogue — alphabetical list |
Critical Distinctions
- Flora = region; Monograph = taxon
- Museum = ; Zoo = living animals
- Phylum = animals; Division = plants (same rank)
- Species = basic unit; Kingdom = most inclusive
- Type specimen = nomenclatural standard → in herbarium/museum
NEET Traps to Avoid
- Linnaeus ≠ coined taxonomy (de Candolle did)
- Single underline ≠ correct (use separate underlines)
- Reproduction ≠ defining feature (mules are alive but sterile)
- Museum ≠ living organisms (museum = preserved)
- Flora ≠ monograph (region vs. taxon)