Which statement about genus and species is accurate?

Which statement about genus and species is accurate?

• A. The genus is larger than species.
• B. The species is a larger group than genus.
• C. The genus and species refer to the same taxon.
• D. The genus is the group that contains species.

Answer: (D)

In taxonomy, a genus is a group that contains related species. The species is the basic unit of classification, describing a group of organisms that can interbreed and share a common gene pool. A genus sits above the species level and can include one or more species, all of which are more closely related to each other than to species in other genera. Therefore, the statement that the genus is the group that contains species is accurate: multiple species are grouped together under a single genus to reflect their close relationship. For example, the genus Felis includes species like Felis catus (the domestic cat) and Felis silvestris (the wildcat). The genus Escherichia includes Escherichia coli and other related species. The other options imply incorrect or imprecise relationships: a genus is not the same as a species, and the genus is not a smaller or larger unit than species in a way that would invert their hierarchical relationship.

In taxonomy, a genus is a group that contains related species. The species is the basic unit of classification, describing a group of organisms that can interbreed and share a common gene pool. A genus sits above the species level and can include one or more species, all of which are more closely related to each other than to species in other genera. Therefore, the statement that the genus is the group that contains species is accurate: multiple species are grouped together under a single genus to reflect their close relationship.

For example, the genus Felis includes species like Felis catus (the domestic cat) and Felis silvestris (the wildcat). The genus Escherichia includes Escherichia coli and other related species. The other options imply incorrect or imprecise relationships: a genus is not the same as a species, and the genus is not a smaller or larger unit than species in a way that would invert their hierarchical relationship.