Which organism classification level is broader than species but more specific than family?

Prepare for the Praxis Pennsylvania Grades 4–8 Core Assessment. Study using flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Success awaits!

The correct classification level that is broader than species but more specific than family is genus. In biological classification, the hierarchy follows a specific order: species is the most specific category, and as you move up the hierarchy, you encounter broader classifications.

The genus groups together multiple species that share common characteristics, making it more specific than family, which encompasses a wider variety of organisms. For example, in the case of the domestic cat, its scientific name is Felis catus; here, Felis is the genus that includes species such as Felis silvestris (the wildcat) and Felis nigripes (the black-footed cat). This shows how genera can contain closely related species.

The other options, such as order, class, and phylum, represent classification levels that are significantly broader than genus. Order collects multiple genera, class gathers numerous orders, and phylum comprises various classes. Thus, while these categories grow in breadth and scope, genus maintains a crucial position as a connector between the specific level of species and the broader grouping of family.

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