Asked by harlem

In the 1700s, Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus developed a classification system that grouped organisms based on visible physical traits, such as the number of legs or the shape of leaves. This system laid the foundation for modern taxonomy. Over time, scientists discovered many new species and realized that physical traits alone were not enough to accurately show evolutionary relationships. Later, the two-domain system emerged, distinguishing organisms by cell type (prokaryotes vs. eukaryotes). With advances in molecular technology, scientists began comparing genetic material, which led to the development of the three-domain system.

What is the basis of the modern, three-domain system of classification?

similar cell structures

similar DNA and RNA sequences

similar physical traits

similar names

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
similar DNA and RNA sequences

The three-domain system is based on comparisons of genetic material (especially ribosomal RNA sequences) that reveal evolutionary relationships among Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.