Question

Select incorrect matching: (a) Locusta Locust (b) Cucumaria Sea cucumber (c) Meandrina Sea anemone (d) Echinus Sea urchin

Short answer

The incorrect matching is (c) Meandrina Sea anemone.

Step-by-step solution

Analyzing Pair A

Locusta is the scientific name for a type of grasshopper, often referred to as 'Locust'. So, this matching is correct.

Analyzing Pair B

Cucumaria is indeed the scientific name for 'Sea cucumber'. So, this matching is also correct.

Analyzing Pair C

Meandrina is the scientific name for a type of stony coral, not a 'Sea anemone'. So, this match is incorrect.

Analyzing Pair D

Lastly, Echinus is the scientific name for the 'Sea urchin'. So, this matching is correct.

Key concepts

Scientific Names of Organisms

Understanding the scientific names of organisms is a foundational aspect of biology. These names are part of the binomial nomenclature system, which provides a universal language for scientists around the world to identify and classify living beings.

Every recognized species on Earth is assigned a unique two-part name: the genus name, which is capitalized, followed by the species name, which is not. For instance, in the scientific name 'Homo sapiens', 'Homo' is the genus, and 'sapiens' identifies our specific species within that genus.

Using scientific names avoids confusion that may arise from common names, which can vary by region and language. When studying organisms, it's crucial to familiarize oneself with these scientific terminologies, as they precisely specify the organism in question, and provide hints about its taxonomy.

Animal Classification

Classification is the process of organizing animals into groups based on shared characteristics. The science of classifying organisms is known as 'taxonomy'. The broadest categories in the animal kingdom are domains and kingdoms, and they continue to be subdivided into phyla, classes, orders, families, genera, and species.

For instance, humans belong to the Animalia kingdom, which indicates that we are animals. Further down, we are categorized into the Chordata phylum, which includes animals with a notochord, and the Mammalia class, indicating we nurse our young.

When dealing with NEET Biology, understanding these categories and where organisms fit within them is essential. This helps not only with the identification of organisms but also gives insights into evolutionary relationships between different species.

Biology Problem-Solving

Problem-solving in biology, especially when addressing exercises like matching scientific names to common ones, involves attention to detail and critical thinking.

In the provided exercise, students are asked to identify incorrect matches. This task is not just about memorization but also understanding the characteristics that define each organism and using this knowledge to validate the provided pairings. Students must stay vigilant for exceptions or closely related species with misleadingly similar features.

When preparing for exams like the NEET, it's important to approach problem-solving by analyzing each option methodically, just as the step-by-step solution illustrates. By incrementally ruling out the correct options or identifying the false ones, students can arrive at the right answer through process of elimination or direct knowledge, enhancing their understanding and retention of the subject matter.