Classification, species and binomial names

Classification, species and binomial namesSpec 1.2.1, 1.2.2, 1.2.3

Scientists use classification to sort living organisms into groups. Organisms can be classified into groups by the features that they share. Organisms in the same group are more alike than organisms in different groups.

Species

A species is a group of organisms that can reproduce to produce fertile offspring. 'Fertile' means that the offspring can themselves reproduce.

A horse and a donkey can mate and produce a mule. The mule is sterile, so it cannot produce offspring of its own. This is why horses and donkeys are two different species, even though they look similar.

The binomial system

The binomial system is an internationally agreed system for naming species. Because it is agreed worldwide, scientists in every country use the same name for the same organism, whatever language they speak.

The scientific name has two parts. The first part is the genus and the second part is the species. A genus is a group of closely related species.

The genus name starts with a capital letter and the species name starts with a lower-case letter. In print the name is in italics. When you write it by hand, underline each word separately. The lion and the tiger share a genus, so they are closely related, but they are different species.