Answer: Shared characteristics increases and organisms covered decreases.
- A Shared characteristics decreases and organisms covered increases
- B Shared characteristics increases and organisms covered decreases
- C Both shared characteristics and organisms covered increase
- D Both shared characteristics and organisms covered decrease
Correct answer: B. Shared characteristics increases and organisms covered decreases
Explanation: Moving from Kingdom to Species, each level becomes more specific: shared characteristics among included organisms increase, while the number of organisms covered decreases.
The taxonomic hierarchy narrows from Kingdom (broadest, covering the most organisms but fewest shared traits) down to Species (narrowest, fewest organisms but most shared traits) - every level in between is a progressively more specific subset of the one above it.
Concept context
Biodiversity, taxonomy, binomial nomenclature, the taxonomic hierarchy, and taxonomic aids like herbaria and botanical gardens. The foundational first chapter of NCERT Biology.