Genus represents

Options

A. (a) an individual plant or animal
B. (b) a collection of plants or animals
C. (c) group of closely related species of plants or animals
D. (d) none of these

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Taxonomic Hierarchy**:
- The taxonomic hierarchy is a system used to classify living organisms. It consists of several ranks, including kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.
- In this hierarchy, the genus is positioned between the family and species.

2. **Definition of Genus**:
- A genus is a group of closely related species that share common characteristics. It is a way to categorize organisms that are similar to each other.
- For example, the genus "Panthera" includes species like Panthera leo (lion) and Panthera onca (jaguar).

3. **Binomial Nomenclature**:
- The system of naming organisms was developed by Carl Linnaeus, known as binomial nomenclature.
- In this system, the first part of the name is the genus, and the second part is the specific epithet (species name). For instance, in Panthera leo, "Panthera" is the genus.

4. **Analyzing the Options**:
- Option A: "An individual plant or animal" - This is incorrect as a genus represents a group, not an individual.
- Option B: "A collection of plants or animals" - This is also incorrect; a genus is more specific than just a collection.
- Option C: "Group of closely related species of plants or animals" - This is correct as it accurately describes what a genus is.
- Option D: "None of the above" - This is incorrect because option C is valid.

5. **Conclusion**:
- The correct answer is C: "Group of closely related species of plants or animals."