The word 'taxon' signifies

Options

A. Scientific name of an organism
B. Development process of an organism
C. Taxonomic group of any rank
D. Ecological importance of an organism

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Term 'Taxon':** The term 'taxon' refers to a group of one or more populations of organisms that form a unit in the classification system.

2. **Taxonomy Overview:** Taxonomy is the science of classification of living organisms, which includes both extant (currently living) and extinct species. It involves organizing organisms into hierarchical categories based on shared characteristics.

3. **Taxonomic Hierarchy:** In taxonomy, there is a structured hierarchy that includes several ranks. The major ranks, from highest to lowest, are:
- Kingdom
- Phylum
- Class
- Order
- Family
- Genus
- Species

4. **Definition of Taxon:** Each of these ranks or levels in the taxonomic hierarchy is referred to as a 'taxon'. Therefore, a taxon can be any rank within this hierarchy, such as a family, genus, or species.

5. **Conclusion:** Based on the definition and understanding of taxonomy, the correct answer to the question is that the word 'taxon' signifies the taxonomic group of any rank.

**Final Answer:** The word 'taxon' signifies the taxonomic group of any rank.

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