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MCAT Biology Question — Biological Classification

One species of chimpanzee is biologically classified as : Animalia, Chordata, Mammalia, Primates, Homonidae, Pan, Pan paniscus. Man is biologically classified as: Animalia, Chordata, Mammalia, Primates, Homonidae, Homo, Homo sapiens. Which is the most specific taxonomic category shared by man and chimpanzees?

 

  1. order
  2. class
  3. family
  4. phylum

 

 

Explanation

 

Biological classification in increasing specificity is Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species. Chimpanzees and man differ at the species and genus levels. They share the same family:  Homonidae.

 

One common mnemonic to memorize this heirarchy: King Phillip Comes Over For Good Sex

 

  1. order, incorrect.
  2. class, incorrect.
  3. family, correct.
  4. phylum, incorrect.

 

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