Question

Which of the following explains the meaning behind the scientific names of organisms?


the first name tells the phylum, the second name tells the species

the first name tells the genus, the second name tells the species

the first name tells the species, the second name tells the genus

the first name tells the kingdom, the second name tells the species

Answer 1

The correct choice is: the first name tells the genus, the second name tells the species.

Example: Homo sapiens — Homo is the genus, sapiens is the species (specific epithet). Convention: genus capitalized, species lowercase, both italicized.