The Binomial System

Vocabulary flashcards covering Linnaeus's binomial system of classification, rules for scientific names, and the sequence of taxonomic classification.

Linnaeus

A Swedish naturalist who first classified living organisms into smaller and more specialised groups.

Binomial system

A system created by Linnaeus where the scientific name of an organism is made up of two parts in Latin: the genus followed by the species.

Genus

The first part of an organism's scientific name in the binomial system, which is always given a capital letter.

Species

The second part of an organism's scientific name in the binomial system, which starts with a lower-case letter.

Italics in binomial names

The formatting used when typing binomial names (e.g. Homo sapiens) to indicate that they are Latin.

Sequence of classification

The hierarchical order of classification for organisms: Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.

King Philip Came Over For Gran's Spaghetti

A mnemonic code to remember the sequence of classification (Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species).

Linnaeus's system of classification diagram

A diagram demonstrating the hierarchical levels from general to specific using human taxonomy (Animalia, Chordata, Mammalia, Primates, Hominidae, Homo, Homo sapiens).