What is an advantage of using an organism's scientific name rather then its common name?
A.The scientific name is always given in the native language
B.The scientific name is based upon the organism's kingdom and phylum
C.The scientific name does not depend on any classification system
D.The scientific name clearly identifies the organism
A?
9 answers
Not A.
D.
All scientific names identify an organism's genus and species. Usually this name is Latinate (interesting-ish story involving Linnaeus), though it doesn't have to be.
All scientific names identify an organism's genus and species. Usually this name is Latinate (interesting-ish story involving Linnaeus), though it doesn't have to be.
I'm not really sure. Because I don't think it's D or B so is it C?
It's not C.
Please do not post this question again. You're on your own now.
Please do not post this question again. You're on your own now.
I really thought it was A because C was my second option. Because it shouldn't be D because the scientific name doesn't clearly give the identity of an organism (for example Ursus maritimus doesn't give out the identity)
But it can't be C now that I look at it again because it does depend on a classification system.
I didn't think it was B because the names aren't like the kingdoms and phylum and A made the most sense to me because ursus means bear in another language and homosapien is latin for human.
But it can't be C now that I look at it again because it does depend on a classification system.
I didn't think it was B because the names aren't like the kingdoms and phylum and A made the most sense to me because ursus means bear in another language and homosapien is latin for human.
Ah, but each scientific name is unique. Chip brand names may be ridiculous-- Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, etc.-- but they're unique so they still serve as good identifiers. (Can you tell I'm sitting next to a vending machine?)
(Fun fact, ursus is also Latin-- most things that end in "us" are Latin. And homo sapiens is literally "wise man." We humans hold high opinions of ourselves. :D)
(Fun fact, ursus is also Latin-- most things that end in "us" are Latin. And homo sapiens is literally "wise man." We humans hold high opinions of ourselves. :D)
Ohh but how does the scientific name being unique make D the correct answer?
Each organism has its own scientific name.
Because unique identifiers mean that, given a name, someone could find out about the organism.
If we had two things with the scientific name "cat," that would be a problem-- there are tons of cats. But since no two species of cats have the same two names, given a scientific name, we can easily research more about the animal. We might not be taxology buffs and intuitively know every scientific name, but we could find out. "Clearly identify" doesn't mean that your average person can identify the organism from its scientific name, it means that you could find out more about the organism given the name. "Black-throated sparrow" could give you a lot of results, but Amphispiza bilineata is pretty specific.
If we had two things with the scientific name "cat," that would be a problem-- there are tons of cats. But since no two species of cats have the same two names, given a scientific name, we can easily research more about the animal. We might not be taxology buffs and intuitively know every scientific name, but we could find out. "Clearly identify" doesn't mean that your average person can identify the organism from its scientific name, it means that you could find out more about the organism given the name. "Black-throated sparrow" could give you a lot of results, but Amphispiza bilineata is pretty specific.
1 answer