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The organization of similar organisms into groups helps scientists understand how living things are related. It also allows scientists to communicate about all forms of life. Scientists organize the living world using a process called taxonomy, which is the science of classifying organisms based on shared structures, functions, and relationships to other organisms. Scientists use a branching system of classification, and over the years, due to new discoveries, the branching system has changed and grown. The chart shows how the six kingdoms are organized into three domains. Notice one domain, Eukarya, contains four kingdoms while the other two domains contain one kingdom each. One characteristic do scientists use to place organisms in the kingdom Eukarya?

A) They are multicellular.

B) They are multicellular, eukaryotic organisms.

C) They are composed of one or more eukaryotic cells.

D) These kingdoms contain organisms that are heterotrophic.

User Riggy
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Final answer:

The crucial characteristic for classifying organisms into the kingdom Eukarya is that they consist of one or more eukaryotic cells, which have a defined nucleus containing the organism's genetic material.

Step-by-step explanation:

Scientists use various characteristics to place organisms in the kingdom Eukarya, one of the three domains of life, in the process of taxonomy. The defining characteristic of the organisms within the kingdom Eukarya is that they are composed of eukaryotic cells. Whether these organisms are unicellular or multicellular, what distinguishes them is that their cells have internal, membrane-bound organelles, including a nucleus containing genetic material. Therefore, the answer to the question of which characteristic is used to place organisms in the kingdom Eukarya is that they are composed of one or more eukaryotic cells (Option C).

User ThunderMind
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