Why do scientists study the external features of plants and animals?

Scientists study the external features of plants and animals to identify, compare, and classify different living organisms. Visible characteristics provide important information about an organism's structure, adaptations, and relationship with other life forms.

External features include characteristics such as the size and shape of the body, type of stem, leaf structure, roots, body covering, limbs, and method of movement. For example, the shape of a bird's beak can indicate its feeding habits, while the structure of a plant's leaves and stems can help identify its type.

Studying these features allows scientists to organise living organisms into groups and understand the diversity found among different species.