Binomial Nomenclature

What is binomial nomenclature?

A formal system of naming species of living things using two names, one for the genus and one for the species.

Who developed the system of binomial nomenclature?

Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist, developed the system in the year 1735

What is the format of a binomial name?

The format is italicized, with the genus name capitalized and the species name in lowercase (e.g., Homo sapiens).

Why is binomial nomenclature important?

It provides a universal language for scientists, reducing confusion caused by common names.

What is an example of a binomial name?

An example is Canis lupus, the scientific name for the gray wolf.

What does the genus name in binomial nomenclature indicate?

The genus name indicates the group of species that are closely related.

Can two different species have the same genus name?

Yes, multiple species can share the same genus name, but not the same species name.

What is a species epithet?

The species epithet is the second part of the binomial name, which is unique to each species within a genus.

What is the significance of italicizing binomial names?

It helps distinguish scientific names from other text and indicates that these are Latin terms.

Are binomial names consistent across languages?

Yes, binomial names remain the same across different languages, ensuring consistency in scientific communication.

Phylogenetic Classification

The biological classification of organism its based on their evolutionary relationship.

Taxonomy

The branch of science involved with the purpose of naming and arranging organisms into groups.

How and when should scientific names be underlined?

Scientific names should be underlined separately when hand written.