Key Stage 4
Meaning
Binomial Classification is a system used to name newly discovered species.
About the Binomial Classification System
- When a new species is discovered it is first grouped with similar organisms with the same genus. For example if a new big cat were discovered its binomial classification would begin with Panthera. The genus is written with a capital letter.
- The species name can be invented by the discoverer and is usually made to sound latin. Some scientists recently named a new species of spider Eriovixia gryffindori after they thought it looked like a prop from Harry Potter. The species name is written in lower case.
- The Binomial Classification is usually underlined or written in italics.