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Scientific Name Definition

A scientific name consists of an organism's genus and species. For example, humans are *Homo sapiens*.

View Lesson on Classification of Living Things
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Classification of Living Things

LESSON MATERIALSmove

Fun Facts

  • Scientific names use Lati, which was considered the language of science when the system was set up hundreds of years ago.
  • We need scientific names because every language has a different name for the same organism.
  • Dogs are scientifically named Canis familiaris.

Why Do We Need To Know About Scientific Name

Learning scientific names helps us speak the same biology language everywhere in the world. It makes sure everyone knows exactly which creature or plant we’re talking about, no matter where they are. This is important for sharing research, saving animals and plants, and figuring out diseases in medicine.

This way of naming things isn’t just for school; it’s used by doctors to find out what’s making someone sick, and by scientists working to protect animals and plants. It helps us understand and study all the different forms of life, from tiny bugs to the big, mysterious ocean.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is taxonomy?
Taxonomy is the science of naming and classifying organisms into groups based on shared traits.
What are the eight levels of organization used for classifying all living things?
Domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species
What trait is used to classify bacteria as their own domain?
Bacteria are single-celled organisms without a nucleus. Other single-celled organisms with a nucleus are classified as eukaryotes.
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