Science - Unit 4 - Biology

Taxonomy

The science of naming, describing and classifying organisms and includes all plants, animals and microorganisms of the world.

Scientific Name

The name used by scientists, especially the taxonomic name of an organism that consists of the genus and species. Usually come from Latin or Greek. It is always written in Italics with the first part of the name capitalised.

Genus

A taxonomic category ranking used in biological classification that is below family and above species. Species exhibiting similar characteristics comprise a genus.  It is used as the first part of an organism's scientific name. 

Species

A group of organisms that can reproduce naturally with one another and create fertile offspring. In the taxonomic ranking it is below the Genus and forms the second part of an organisms scientific name. 

Binomial Nomenclature

A system used to name and identify organisms based on their genus and species names.