Question

Fill in the Blank. In binomial nomenclature, an organism’s scientific name includes its ________ and __________.

Short answer

genus, species

Step-by-step solution

- Understand Binomial Nomenclature

Binomial nomenclature is a formal system of naming species of living things by giving each a name composed of two parts.

- Identify the Two Components

The two parts of the scientific name are the genus and the species. The genus is the first part of the name and is always capitalized, while the species is the second part and is not capitalized.

- Fill in the Blanks

Based on the information, fill in the blanks with 'genus' and 'species.'

Key concepts

Genus and Species

In the scientific naming system known as binomial nomenclature, every organism is given a two-part name. These two parts are the genus and the species. The genus is the first part of the name and is always capitalized. For example, in the name *Homo sapiens*, '*Homo*' is the genus. The species is the second part of the name and is not capitalized. In '*Homo sapiens*', '*sapiens*' is the species.
This system helps scientists accurately identify and classify organisms, ensuring that each species has a unique and recognized name.

Scientific Naming System

The scientific naming system, or binomial nomenclature, was developed by Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century. It standardizes the names of living organisms and avoids confusion that might arise from common names. For instance, different regions might call the same animal by different names, but with a unique scientific name, such confusion is eliminated.
The name must be written in italics or underlined when handwritten to signify its Latin origin. Additionally, the genus name can be abbreviated after its first mention like *Escherichia coli* can become *E. coli*.
This system is universal and used by scientists around the world, allowing consistent communication and documentation.

Taxonomy in Microbiology

Taxonomy is the science of classifying organisms, and it plays a crucial role in microbiology. It involves organizing microorganisms into hierarchical categories based on their physical and genetic characteristics.
In microbiology, organisms are classified from broad groups down to more specific ones:

• Domain
• Kingdom
• Phylum
• Class
• Order
• Family
• Genus
• Species

The genus and species are used in binomial nomenclature to provide a specific and universally accepted name for each microorganism.
This classification helps scientists in understanding relationships between organisms, studying evolutionary history, and identifying new species.