Deutsch: Gattung (Biologie) / Español: Gênero (biología) / Português: Gênero (biologia) / Français: Genre (biologie) / Italiano: Genere (tassonomia)
In biology, a genus (plural: genera) is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia. Genera and higher taxonomic levels such as families are used in biodiversity studies, particularly in fossil studies since species cannot always be confidently identified and genera and families typically have longer stratigraphic ranges than species.
In the industrial and industry context, "genus" is a term used in the field of taxonomy and biology to refer to a classification level that is higher than species but lower than family. A genus is a group of related species that have similar characteristics and are believed to have evolved from a common ancestor.
Examples of genus in industry include:
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Botanical genus: Botanical genus is used in the classification of plants. Examples of botanical genus include Pinus (pine), Quercus (oak), and Rosa (rose).
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Microbial genus: Microbial genus is used in the classification of microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Examples of microbial genus include Escherichia (E. coli), Staphylococcus (staph), and Streptococcus (strep).
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Zoological genus: Zoological genus is used in the classification of animals. Examples of zoological genus include Canis (dog), Felis (cat), and Ursus (bear).
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Pharmaceutical genus: Pharmaceutical genus is used in the classification of drugs and medicines. Examples of pharmaceutical genus include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.
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Chemical genus: Chemical genus is used in the classification of chemicals and substances. Examples of chemical genus include polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride.
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Geological genus: Geological genus is used in the classification of rocks and minerals. Examples of geological genus include quartz, feldspar, and mica.
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Astronomical genus: Astronomical genus is used in the classification of celestial objects, such as stars, galaxies, and nebulae. Examples of astronomical genus include Andromeda (galaxy), Orion (constellation), and Sirius (star).