Organism vs. Species — What's the Difference?
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By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 12, 2023
An organism is an individual living entity. A species is a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
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Difference Between Organism and Species
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Evolution plays a role in the formation of new species. Over time, as organisms adapt to their environment and undergo genetic changes, these changes can become so significant that the resultant organisms can no longer interbreed with the original group. This emergence of a new breeding population marks the beginning of a new species.
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Oct 12, 2023
Every organism has its unique life processes like growth, metabolism, reproduction, and response to stimuli. These life processes are what characterize it as 'living.' A species represents a collective, signifying a group of organisms that possess similar physical and genetic traits and can interbreed under natural conditions.
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An organism can be diverse in its life stages, behaviors, and even genetic variations due to mutations. However, when many organisms share a majority of their DNA, traits, and can reproduce to give rise to fertile offspring, they belong to the same species.
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When observing a single ant, you are looking at an organism. But when you consider the entire group of ants that are of the same kind and can breed with one another, you are looking at a species. The concept of species aids in the categorization and understanding of biodiversity.
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An organism refers to any individual living being, be it an animal, plant, fungus, or microorganism. It is a single, autonomous unit of life. A species, on the other hand, is a classification of these living beings based on shared characteristics and genetic makeup. It encapsulates a group of organisms that are closely related.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An individual living entity.
A group of organisms that can interbreed.
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Scope
Refers to one individual.
Refers to a group with similar characteristics.
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Interbreeding
Does not apply (single entity).
Can produce fertile offspring within the group.
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Genetic Makeup
Unique to each individual.
Shared genetic traits among group members.
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Definitions
Organism
An organism is any individual living entity.
A tree is an organism that provides shade and oxygen.
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Species
A species is a classification of organisms based on shared characteristics.
The blue whale is a species distinguished by its enormous size.
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Organism
An organism is any entity capable of growth, reproduction, and metabolic activities.
A mushroom is a fungus organism that grows in damp areas.
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Species
A species signifies populations that can produce fertile offspring together.
Different breeds of horses belong to the same species as they can reproduce together.
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Organism
An organism is a singular life form, whether microscopic or macroscopic.
A bacterium is a microscopic organism that can cause disease.
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Species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction.
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Organism
An organism is a complex structure of organic molecules functioning together.
A lion is a powerful organism known for its predatory skills.
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Species
A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding. The species is the principal natural taxonomic unit, ranking below a genus and denoted by a Latin binomial, e.g. Homo sapiens.
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Organism
An organism represents autonomous units of life.
A goldfish is an aquatic organism that can live in freshwater tanks.
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Organism
In biology, an organism (from Greek: ὀργανισμός, organismos) is any organic, living system that functions as an individual entity. All organisms are composed of cells (cell theory).
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Species
The visible form of each of the elements of consecrated bread and wine in the Eucharist.
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Organism
An individual form of life, such as a bacterium, protist, fungus, plant, or animal, composed of a single cell or a complex of cells in which organelles or organs work together to carry out the various processes of life.
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Species
(Biology) A group of closely related organisms that are very similar to each other and are usually capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. The species is the fundamental category of taxonomic classification, ranking below a genus or subgenus. Species names are represented in binomial nomenclature by an uncapitalized Latin adjective or noun following a capitalized genus name, as in Ananas comosus, the pineapple, and Equus caballus, the horse.
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Organism
A system regarded as analogous in its structure or functions to a living body
The social organism.
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Species
(Logic) A class of individuals or objects grouped by virtue of their common attributes and assigned a common name; a division subordinate to a genus.
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Species
(Chemistry) A set of atoms, molecules, ions, or other chemical entities that possess the same distinct characteristics with respect to a chemical process or measurement.
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Organism
Something with many separate interdependent parts, seen as being like a living thing; an organic system.
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Species
A kind, variety, or type
"No species of performing artist is as self-critical as a dancer" (Susan Sontag).
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Organism
(biology) A discrete and complete living thing, such as animal, plant, fungus or microorganism.
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Species
The outward appearance or form of the Eucharistic elements that is retained after their consecration.
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Organism
An organized being; a living body, either vegetable or animal, composed of different organs or parts with functions which are separate, but mutually dependent, and essential to the life of the individual.
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Organism
A living thing that has (or can develop) the ability to act or function independently
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Species
A group of plants or animals having similar appearance.
This species of animal is unique to the area.
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Organism
A system considered analogous in structure or function to a living body;
The social organism
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Species
A category in the classification of organisms, ranking below genus; a taxon at that rank.
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Species
(mineralogy) A mineral with a unique chemical formula whose crystals belong to a unique crystallographic system.
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Species
(obsolete) The image of something cast on a surface, or reflected from a surface, or refracted through a lens or telescope; a reflection.
I cast the species of the Sun onto a sheet of paper through a telescope.
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Species
Visible or perceptible presentation; appearance; something perceived.
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Species
(Christianity) Either of the two elements of the Eucharist after they have been consecrated.
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Species
Coin, or coined silver, gold, or other metal, used as a circulating medium; specie.
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Species
Visible or sensible presentation; appearance; a sensible percept received by the imagination; an image.
Wit, . . . the faculty of imagination in the writer, which searches over all the memory for the species or ideas of those things which it designs to represent.
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Species
A group of individuals agreeing in common attributes, and designated by a common name; a conception subordinated to another conception, called a genus, or generic conception, from which it differs in containing or comprehending more attributes, and extending to fewer individuals. Thus, man is a species, under animal as a genus; and man, in its turn, may be regarded as a genus with respect to European, American, or the like, as species.
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Species
In science, a more or less permanent group of existing things or beings, associated according to attributes, or properties determined by scientific observation.
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Species
A sort; a kind; a variety; as, a species of low cunning; a species of generosity; a species of cloth.
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Species
Coin, or coined silver, gold, or other metal, used as a circulating medium; specie.
There was, in the splendor of the Roman empire, a less quantity of current species in Europe than there is now.
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Species
The form or shape given to materials; fashion or shape; form; figure.
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Species
A specific kind of something;
A species of molecule
A species of villainy
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Species
A species is a group of similar organisms capable of interbreeding.
The Bengal tiger and the Siberian tiger belong to the same species.
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Species
A species consists of all organisms that share a genetic blueprint.
All domestic dogs, from Chihuahuas to Great Danes, belong to the same species.
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Species
A species is a natural unit in the tree of life.
The African elephant and the Asian elephant are different species due to distinct genetic and physical attributes.
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FAQs
How is diversity among organisms within a species possible?
Genetic variations, mutations, and environmental influences can cause diversity within a species.
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Can two organisms from different species reproduce?
Typically, organisms from different species cannot produce fertile offspring together.
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Are all members of a species found in the same location?
No, members of a species can be found in different geographic locations.
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Can there be multiple species within a single genus?
Yes, a genus can comprise multiple species.
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What does the term species refer to?
A species refers to a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
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Is a human an organism?
Yes, a human is an individual organism, and collectively humans are a species.
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How do new species form?
New species can form through processes like evolution, where genetic changes over time lead to organisms that can't interbreed with the original group.
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Can a single organism represent its entire species?
No, an organism is an individual, while a species comprises many similar organisms.
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Is every organism of the same species genetically identical?
No, there are genetic variations within a species, but they share a majority of their DNA.
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How do scientists determine if organisms belong to the same species?
Organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring are typically considered the same species.
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Are species fixed or can they change over time?
Species can change over time due to evolutionary processes.
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Oct 12, 2023
Is every organism on Earth part of a species?
Yes, every organism belongs to a particular species based on shared characteristics and genetics.
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Oct 12, 2023
Why is the distinction between organism and species important?
The distinction helps in understanding individual life forms versus groups, aiding in categorization, and studying biodiversity.
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Oct 12, 2023
Is a single tree an organism or a species?
A single tree is an organism. The type of tree (e.g., oak, pine) represents the species.
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Author Spotlight
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.