What is an advantage of using an organism's scientific name rather then its common name?

A.The scientific name is always given in the native language
B.The scientific name is based upon the organism's kingdom and phylum
C.The scientific name does not depend on any classification system
D.The scientific name clearly identifies the organism

A?

Not A.

D.

All scientific names identify an organism's genus and species. Usually this name is Latinate (interesting-ish story involving Linnaeus), though it doesn't have to be.

I'm not really sure. Because I don't think it's D or B so is it C?

I really thought it was A because C was my second option. Because it shouldn't be D because the scientific name doesn't clearly give the identity of an organism (for example Ursus maritimus doesn't give out the identity)

But it can't be C now that I look at it again because it does depend on a classification system.
I didn't think it was B because the names aren't like the kingdoms and phylum and A made the most sense to me because ursus means bear in another language and homosapien is latin for human.

Ah, but each scientific name is unique. Chip brand names may be ridiculous-- Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, etc.-- but they're unique so they still serve as good identifiers. (Can you tell I'm sitting next to a vending machine?)

(Fun fact, ursus is also Latin-- most things that end in "us" are Latin. And homo sapiens is literally "wise man." We humans hold high opinions of ourselves. :D)

Ohh but how does the scientific name being unique make D the correct answer?

Each organism has its own scientific name.

Because unique identifiers mean that, given a name, someone could find out about the organism.

If we had two things with the scientific name "cat," that would be a problem-- there are tons of cats. But since no two species of cats have the same two names, given a scientific name, we can easily research more about the animal. We might not be taxology buffs and intuitively know every scientific name, but we could find out. "Clearly identify" doesn't mean that your average person can identify the organism from its scientific name, it means that you could find out more about the organism given the name. "Black-throated sparrow" could give you a lot of results, but Amphispiza bilineata is pretty specific.

The correct answer is D. The scientific name clearly identifies the organism.

To understand why, let's break down the advantages of using an organism's scientific name rather than its common name:

1) Consistency: Scientific names follow a standardized system called binomial nomenclature, which was established by Carl Linnaeus in the late 18th century. According to this system, every known species is given a unique scientific name that consists of two parts – its genus and species. This system ensures that each organism has a distinct and unambiguous name, regardless of any changes in languages or regions. In contrast, common names can vary between languages, regions, and even individuals, leading to confusion and misidentification.

2) Universality: Scientific names provide a universal language for taxonomists, researchers, and scientists worldwide. Since the scientific name is based on Latin or Greek roots, it gives a shared reference point that enables effective communication and avoids misunderstandings. Common names, on the other hand, can change between languages, making it harder for researchers from different regions to understand each other's work accurately.

3) Precision: Scientific names provide valuable information about an organism's relationships and classification. Each scientific name tells us not only the species' name but also the genus, family, order, class, phylum, and kingdom to which it belongs. This hierarchical information allows scientists to easily identify the organism's position in the tree of life, aiding in further research, classification, and understanding of evolutionary relationships. Common names generally lack this precise taxonomic information, making it difficult to categorize and compare organisms accurately.

4) Stability: Scientific names are designed to be stable and resistant to changes over time. Once a scientific name is officially established and published, it remains the same unless further research warrants a revision. On the other hand, common names are often influenced by cultural, regional, or historical factors, leading to variations and changes over time. This can cause confusion and hinder consistency in scientific research and communication.

In summary, using an organism's scientific name offers advantages such as clear identification, universal language, precise taxonomic information, and stability. Hence, the correct answer is D. The scientific name clearly identifies the organism.

It's not C.

Please do not post this question again. You're on your own now.