What is the Difference Between Phylum and Class?

The difference between phylum and class lies in their hierarchical levels in the biological classification system. Phylum and class are both taxonomic ranks used to classify organisms based on their characteristics and relationships. Here are the main differences between them:

• Hierarchical level: Phylum is ranked below the kingdom and above the class in taxonomy. Class is ranked between the phylum and order.
• Organization: A phylum is a group of related classes. A class is a group of related orders.
• Characteristics: Organisms within a phylum share more general body plan characteristics, while those within a class share more specific characteristics with each other than they do with other organisms in the same phylum.
• Number of species: Phyla typically contain a higher number of species compared to classes.

For example, fungi, plants, and animals all belong to the domain Eukarya, and each is classified into different phyla based on their general body plans. Within each phylum, organisms are further classified into classes, orders, families, genera, and species, each with increasing specificity.

Comparative Table: Phylum vs Class

The difference between phylum and class can be illustrated in a table as follows:

In summary, phylum is a broader category that ranks below the kingdom and above the class in taxonomy, while class is a more specific category that ranks below the phylum and above the order in taxonomy.