Naming Of Species Flashcards
Why would using common names for organisms cause confusion?
The same organisms could have different name sin different regions
The same name could be given to different species
Scientists speaking different languages cannot understand one another
Why did Carl Linnaeus design a naming system?
To avoid this confusion
What kind of naming system did Carl Linnaeus design?
A binomial naming system
What does the term binomial mean?
Double name
What language is the binomial system based on?
Latin
Why is the binomial system based on Latin?
At the time of its creation, Latin was the most widely used language
What did Linnaeus’s system state?
That each species would get a unique dual name
What does the scientific name of an organism consist of?
The name of its genus
The name of its species
What is a species?
A group of related organisms that interbreed and create fertile offspring
How is the species name written?
Genus name is capitalised
Whole name is italicised (if typed) if written, underline it
If used multiple times, the first time is written in full, next time only first letter of the genus name is written before the species name
What is a biological key?
An instrument used to classify living organisms
When is a biological key useful?
It is a quick and easy way to identify unknown organisms
What is a biological key like?
A series of options that lead the user to a correct option
What is a dichotomous key?
A biological key that always gives two options at each step
What happens at each step of a dichotomous key?
Two statements are given
They are based on the properties of an organism
