'classification of life forms is closely related to their evolution'.justify this statment with the help of examples.
The statement "classification of life forms is closely related to their evolution" is justified by the fact that as organisms evolve over time, they acquire new characteristics and undergo changes that impact their classification. By examining the evolutionary history and relationships between different organisms, scientists can group them into categories that reflect their shared ancestry and common characteristics. This process is known as taxonomy.
One example is the classification of birds and bats. Birds and bats both possess the ability to fly, but their evolutionary paths and underlying characteristics differ. Birds have feathers and lay amniotic eggs, placing them in the class Aves. On the other hand, bats belong to the class Mammalia because they have hair, give live birth, and nurse their young. Despite having a similar adaptation for flight, their different evolutionary backgrounds result in their placement into separate taxonomic groups.
Another example is the classification of dolphins and sharks. While both are aquatic and have streamlined bodies, their evolutionary lineages and distinguishing characteristics separate them into different classes. Dolphins are mammals and belong to the class Mammalia because they possess lungs, give live birth, and nurse their young with milk. Sharks, on the other hand, are fish and belong to the class Chondrichthyes as they have cartilaginous skeletons, gills, and lay eggs. The differences in their evolutionary history and reproductive strategies are reflected in their classification.
In both cases, the classification of life forms is closely related to their evolution. The process of evolution shapes the characteristics of organisms, which in turn guide their classification into different taxonomic groups. By studying the evolutionary relationships and traits of various organisms, scientists can better understand the diversity of life on Earth.