Final answer:
Species can be classified based on body morphology, developmental pathways, and genetic makeup.
Step-by-step explanation:
In biology, the three main ways we classify species are based on their body morphology, their developmental pathways, and their genetic makeup. Species can be classified based on the following three main criteria:
- Anatomy: This involves the physical structure or body morphology of the organism, including features such as symmetry, presence or absence of a backbone, and other structural characteristics.
- Embryological Development: The development patterns of an organism from an embryo, including the formation of germ layers, the sequence of developmental stages, and whether development includes metamorphosis or molting.
- Genetic Makeup: The genetic information of an organism which determines hereditary traits and provides insight into evolutionary relationships among different species.