What is systematics?

Systematics is a branch of biology that focuses on classifying organisms based on their evolutionary relationships and phylogenetic history. This means it takes into account not just physical characteristics, but also genetic data, evolutionary lineage, and the connections between different species over time. By understanding these relationships, systematics aims to form a comprehensive framework that reflects how species have diverged from common ancestors and how they relate to one another within the tree of life.

The other concepts covered in the options, such as the classification based solely on physical characteristics, the study of biological systems in nature, and the naming of species, while related fields, do not encompass the full scope of systematics. These areas may contribute information to the field, but they do not focus primarily on evolutionary relationships, which is the hallmark of systematics.