Question

The currently used binomial nomenclature was developed by _____. a. Rayb. Linnaeusc. Aristotle

Answer 1

The correct option is (B) Linnaeus.

Binomial nomenclature is the system of scientifically naming the living organisms by a binomial name containing two parts. Carolus Linnaeus or Carl Linnaeus, a swedish Botanist and a Zoologist introduced the formal system of naming living organisms by defining the terms "genus" and "species" of an organism in his work called the "Species plantarum" in 1753.

Species refers to the group of similar organisms capable of interbreeding among themselves. Any two organisms of this group can produce a fertile organism through the process of sexual reproduction. Genus refers to the taxonomic category above the species and below the family consisting of one or more species.

The currently used binomial nomenclature was developed by Carl Linnaeus. According to this system, the basic rules in naming an organism scientifically should abide to the following rules.

(1) The binomial name of an organism is divided into two parts called the generic name (genus) and the specific name (species).

(2) The first letter of the generic name should be in capital letter and the first letter of the specific name should be in small letter.

(3) The scientific name should be italicized or underlined, if hand written.

John Ray proposed the concept of species and the classification of plants based on the number of cotyledons and other anatomical characteristics. Aristotle developed the first system of classification of animals. Hence, it is Linnaeus who developed the binomial nomenclature which is currently used.

Answer 2

The correct answer is option b. Carolus Linnaeus.

The binomial nomenclature also known as binary nomenclature refers to a general system of naming species of living things by providing each a name comprising of two parts, in this Latin grammatical words are used.

Such a name is known as a binomial name or a scientific name. The initial part of the name demonstrates the genus to which belongs the genus, while the second part; the specific name demonstrates the species within the genus.