Question

Linnaeus evolved a system of nomenclature called (a) Trinomial (b) Vernacular (c) Binomial (d) Polynomial

Short answer

(c) Binomial

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the options

Before answering, it's important to understand what each option represents: \n\n(a) Trinomial nomenclature refers to the system that uses three names for the classification of organisms. This does not match the system evolved by Linnaeus. \n\n(b) Vernacular refers to the common name of the organism in a particular region or language. This does not align with Linnaeus' system. \n\n(c) Binomial nomenclature is the two-part scientific naming system for species with the first name indicating the genus and the second the species. This refers to Linnaeus's system. \n\n(d) Polynomial nomenclature is a naming system where several names are used to describe the species characteristics. This is also not the system established by Linnaeus.

Choose the correct option

According to the above information, it is clear that Linnaeus evolved a system of nomenclature called Binomial Nomenclature. So the correct choice is (c) Binomial.

Key concepts

Linnaeus

The contribution of Carl Linnaeus to biological classification is immense. Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist, physician, and zoologist, is best known for developing the system of naming organisms called Binomial Nomenclature.
He is often referred to as the "Father of Modern Taxonomy". In the 18th century, Linnaeus embarked on an endeavor to name and classify all living things.
Prior to his system, the naming of species was chaotic, and different species often had multiple names across various regions.

• Linnaeus simplified this by creating a method that was universal and accepted worldwide.
• This system allows for a universal standard in naming species, helping to avoid confusion when referring to organisms across different languages and regions.

Because of Linnaeus's work, scientists can communicate more effectively about species globally.

Trinomial Nomenclature

Trinomial Nomenclature differs from the system established by Linnaeus. It adds a third name to classify sub-species within a species. While Linnaeus introduced the two-part system, trinomial nomenclature is used to provide a more detailed classification.
This system is particularly useful when organisms have significant variation among subspecies.

• The first part of the name indicates the genus.
• The second part specifies the species.
• The third part designates the subspecies.

For example, the trinomial name for a certain subspecies of tiger could be _Panthera tigris tigris_. This provides a precise identification that includes subspecies, which can be essential for conservation efforts and scientific research.

Vernacular Names

Vernacular names are essentially the common names given to organisms. These names can vary vastly depending on the region and the language spoken. While they are often easier for people to remember and use in everyday language, they do present certain challenges in scientific communication.
For instance, a single organism might have a multitude of vernacular names, which can lead to confusion.

• They are not standardized, so one species might have different names in different languages or areas.
• The same vernacular name might be used for different species in different regions.

Although vernacular names serve an important role in making information more accessible to the general public, scientific communities rely on the standardized binomial system to avoid misunderstandings.

Polynomial Nomenclature

Polynomial nomenclature is an older system where species were described using lengthy strings of Latin adjectives. These would detail various characteristics of the organism. Before Linnaeus introduced his streamlined two-part system, this method was commonly used but had significant drawbacks.
Unlike binomial nomenclature, polynomial names could be quite cumbersome and complicated.

• Such a system could result in names that were hard to remember and inconsistent in different texts.
• The method faced criticism due to its lack of standardization and the difficulty in ease of communication.

This complex method was replaced by binomial nomenclature because Linnaeus's approach was simpler and more structured, allowing for easier communication and classification.