What is taxonomy?

Taxonomy is the scientific study of how living things are classified, which is vital for organizing the vast diversity of life on Earth. This classification system helps scientists communicate about different species and understand the evolutionary relationships among them. Taxonomy involves the identification, naming, and categorization of organisms into a systematic framework, allowing for easier study and understanding of biological relationships.

For example, through taxonomy, organisms are grouped into hierarchical categories such as domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. This classification is based on shared characteristics, genetic information, and evolutionary history, which makes it foundational for various biological sciences. By contrast, the other options refer to different fields of study. Animal behavior focuses on the interactions and behaviors of animals; biochemical processes relate to the chemical reactions and molecular mechanisms within living organisms, and ecosystem examination pertains to the study of interactions within ecological communities and their environments.