The binomial naming system

Key definition
linnaeus gave every species of living organism two
name , written in Latin. This is called the binomial
species- a group of organisms that can
tern. The first name is the name of the genus the
reproduce and produce fertile offspring
anism belongs to, and always has a capital letter. The
binomial system - an internationally ageeed
second name is the name of its species, and always has a
system in which the scientific name of an
all letter. This two-word name is called a binomial.
organism is made up of two parts showing the
For example, a wolf belongs to the genus Canis
genus and species
d the species lupus. Its binomial is Canis lupus.
These names are printed in italics. When you write a
Latm name, you cannot write in italics, so you should
de ne it instead. The genus name can be abbreviated
tl is: C. lupus. Do take care to write Latin names (binomials)
correctly. You will often see them written wrongly
in the media! You should always use a capital
letter for the first name and a small letter for the
second name.

Question
11 The table shows how two organisms-
animal animal
a monarch butterfly and a giant pangolin -
an. classified. arthropods vertebrates
a Use the informatiton in the table to suggest insects mammals
whether these two organisms are
not related at all, distantly related or closely Lepidopt era Pholidota
(butterflies and moths)
related. Explain how you made your decision.
b Write down the genus of the giant pangolin. Danaidae Manidae
( Use the Internet or a textbook to find out Danaus
how a human is classified. Write it down in a
table like the one shown on the right.
Danaus plexippus :::::gigant<a j
Monarch butterfly

Giant pangolin

Chapter 1: Classification

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