5. Naming and Identifying

Question 1

What happens when a new species is discovered?

Answer 1

they are named

Question 2

What system is used to name species?

Answer 2

using the binomial system

Question 3

Give a critical strength of the binomial system. How was the binomial system developed? Why is the binomial system used?

Answer 3

• its universal (everyone has to use it = less confusion)
• developed at a series of international congresses
• used because it avoids confusion that would result from using the many different local names that can exist for a species

Question 4

What is the binomial system a good example of?

Answer 4

cooperation and collaboration between groups of scientists

Question 5

What are the features of the binomial system?

Answer 5

• first name is the genus (a group of closely related species)
• genus name is given an upper case first letter
• second name is the species name
• species name is given a lower case first letter
• italics are used when a binomial appears in a printed or typed document

Question 6

Give 2 examples of binomials.

Answer 6

1. Homo sapiens - humans

2. Scrophularia landroveri - a plant discovered by an expedition that travelled in a Land Rover

Question 7

Name the 4 genera (plural of genus) that many aquatic plants in aquariums in biology laboratories belong to.

Answer 7

1. Cabomba
2. Elodea
3. Ceratophyllum
4. Myriophyllum

Question 8

What feature do the aquatic plants in the 4 genera have in common?

Answer 8

cylindrical stems with whorls* of leaves

Question 9

What is the first stage in many ecological investigations?

Answer 9

Find out what species of organism in area are being studied

Question 10

How does one find out what species of organism in area are being studied?

Answer 10

Using a dichotomous key

Question 11

State 4 features of a dichotomous key

Answer 11

• consists of a series of numbered stages
• each stage = pair of alternative characteristics
• some alternatives give next numbered stage to go to
• eventually, identification of species will be reached

Question 12

What characteristics should you look for when constructing a dichotomous key?

Answer 12

• easy to observe and reliable (present in every member of species)