Binomial Nomenclature Worksheet

Binomial Nomenclature: Naming Life

Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. This worksheet will test your understanding of binomial nomenclature and how scientists classify living organisms.

Binomial nomenclature is a formal system of naming species of living things by giving each a name composed of two parts, both of which use Latin grammatical forms, although they can be based on words from other languages. This system was popularized by Carl Linnaeus. The first part of the name identifies the genus to which the species belongs, while the second part identifies the species within the genus. For example, humans are known as Homo sapiens.

1. Who is credited with popularizing the system of binomial nomenclature?

2. What two parts make up a scientific name in binomial nomenclature?

3. The scientific name for humans is  .

4. All scientific names are written in  .

5. The first part of a scientific name is the  , and it is always capitalized.

6. The second part of a scientific name is the  , and it is always lowercase.

7. Common names for organisms are always the same around the world.

8. Binomial nomenclature helps scientists communicate clearly about specific species.

9. Explain why scientists use binomial nomenclature instead of common names.

10. Write the scientific name for a domestic cat, knowing its genus is Felis and its species is catus.