Biology: Classification of Organisms

What is the science of naming and classifying organisms called?

The Greek philosopher and naturalist Aristotle grouped plants according to their ______ similarities.

Linnaeus's two-word system for naming organisms is called?

What is the basic biological unit in the Linnaean system of biological classification?

What is a taxonomic category containing similar species?

What is the scientific name of the willow oak?

What is the common name of Quercus rubra?

What is the first word of a scientific name?

Oak trees are placed in the ______ quercus.

What do people in Great Britain call ______?

What is the correct abbreviation of the scientific name for modern humans?

Taxonomy and Classification

Taxonomy is the science dedicated to naming and classifying organisms.
Aristotle grouped plants based on their structural similarities, a foundational effort in classification.

Naming Organisms

Binomial nomenclature is the two-word system established by Linnaeus for naming organisms.
In this system, the first word indicates the genus, while the second identifies the species.

Biological Units

The species is the basic biological unit in Linnaean classification, representing individual groups that can interbreed.
A genus is a taxonomic category that encompasses similar species, helping to classify organisms more broadly.

Examples of Scientific Names

The scientific name for the willow oak is Quercus phellos, adhering to the binomial nomenclature.
The red oak is known scientifically as Quercus rubra, illustrating another example of genus and species.

Understanding Common Names vs. Scientific Names

In Great Britain, the name Erithacus rubicula refers to what they call a robin, highlighting differences in common versus scientific naming conventions.
Modern humans are scientifically classified as H. sapiens, presenting the correct abbreviation of their scientific name.

Clarifications in Classification

The genus for oak trees is Quercus, emphasizing the classification of multiple species within a single genus.
The first word in a scientific name serves to identify the genus of the organism, ensuring clarity in classification.

Test your knowledge on taxonomy and the classification of organisms with these flashcards. Explore key terms like binomial nomenclature and Aristotle's grouping methods. Perfect for biology students aiming to deepen their understanding of organism classification.