(a) (i) What is classification of living things? (ii) Name the scientist that developed the Binomial Sys-tern of Classification (iii) State three reasons wh...

(a)(i) Classification of living things

Classification is the arrangement of living things into groups on the basis of their similarities and differences, so that related organisms are placed together.

(a)(ii) Scientist

Carolus Linnaeus (Carl Linnaeus) developed the binomial system of nomenclature.

(a)(iii) Three reasons why classification is necessary

• It makes the study of the very large number of living things easier and more orderly.
• It shows the relationships and possible evolutionary links between organisms.
• It gives each organism a single, universally accepted scientific name, avoiding the confusion of different common names.

(a)(iv) Seven major groups in order of hierarchy

1. Kingdom
2. Phylum (Division in plants)
3. Class
4. Order
5. Family
6. Genus
7. Species

(b) Features viruses share

(i) With living things:

• They possess genetic material (DNA or RNA / nucleic acid).
• They can reproduce (multiply), but only inside a living host cell.
• They can mutate and show variation.

(ii) With non-living things:

• They can be crystallised and stored like chemicals.
• They do not feed, respire, grow or carry out metabolism on their own (no cellular structure or protoplasm).

(c) Viral diseases

• (i) Plants: tobacco mosaic disease and cassava mosaic disease (leaf curl / maize streak also acceptable).
• (ii) Humans: measles and poliomyelitis (others: HIV/AIDS, smallpox, chicken pox, yellow fever, influenza).