BIOLOGY DIVERSITY IN LIVING ORGANISMS

Scientific Nomenclature
Naming an Organism

 Common names are variable and sometimes confusing.

 A common name is not enough to indicate the particular species.
 In living organisms, a scientific naming process is followed to maintain individual identity.
 Every living organism is given a scientific name. The scientific name is unique and can be used to
identify an organism anywhere around the world.

Taxonomy is a biological science which deals with the identification, nomenclature

and classification of organisms. It is the study of diversity and kinds of organisms
and the evolutionary relationships among them. It includes naming and
arrangement of organisms into a classification system and an examination of their
origin and history. A taxonomist deals with information obtained from museum
specimens and also from life-history studies, cytology, biochemistry and
physiology of organisms.

Binomial Nomenclature

 Scientists use the Binomial Nomenclature system to name any organism. This system of
nomenclature has unanimously been accepted by scientists all over the world.
 The binomial nomenclature system was suggested by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus.
 According to binomial nomenclature, every organism is given a scientific name for individual identity.
The scientific name includes two terms. The first term is the name of the Genus and the second term
is the name of the Species.
 The scientific name is decided according to the specifications of Common International Code for its
individual identity.
 The name of the genus should begin with a capital letter, while the name of the species should begin
with a small letter.
 Scientific names are always written in the Roman script. Whenever the scientific name is printed, it
should appear in Italics, while in handwritten form, the genus and species names should be underlined
separately.

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 BIOLOGY DIVERSITY IN LIVING ORGANISMS

Scientific Names of Some Common Organisms

ANIMALS PLANTS
Man Homo sapiens Peepal Ficus religiosa
Cat Felis domesticus Mango Mangifera indica
Dog Canis familiaris Potato Solanum tuberosum
Honeybee Apis indica China rose Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Housefly Musca domestica Okra (Bhindi) Hibiscus esculentus
Peacock Pavo cristatus Pineapple Ananas comosus
Cobra Naja naja Pigeon pea (Arhar) Cajanus cajan
Hoopoe Upupa epops Lentil (Masur) Lens esculenta

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