Reading Science: The Key to Identification

1. Complete the following analogy: ______________________ is to Cyanocitta crista, as blue bird is to Sialia sialis

Swallow

Blue jay

Cardinal

Parakeet

Cyanocitta crista is the scientific name for the blue jay. Therefore, the analogy is comparing the scientific name of a bird (Cyanocitta crista) to the common name of another bird (blue bird, which is the common name for Sialia sialis). The correct answer, blue jay, fits this analogy because it is the common name for Cyanocitta crista, just like blue bird is the common name for Sialia sialis.

Explanation

Cyanocitta crista is the scientific name for the blue jay. Therefore, the analogy is comparing the scientific name of a bird (Cyanocitta crista) to the common name of another bird (blue bird, which is the common name for Sialia sialis). The correct answer, blue jay, fits this analogy because it is the common name for Cyanocitta crista, just like blue bird is the common name for Sialia sialis.

2. According to the context of the passage, biodiversity refers to ______________.

The naming of a species

Variety of species

Binomial nomenclature

Taxonomy

According to the context of the passage, biodiversity refers to the variety of species. The passage discusses the concept of biodiversity, which implies the presence of a wide range of different species in a given ecosystem or area. The term "variety of species" accurately captures this idea and aligns with the understanding of biodiversity as the measure of the diversity and abundance of different organisms within a particular habitat.

Explanation

According to the context of the passage, biodiversity refers to the variety of species. The passage discusses the concept of biodiversity, which implies the presence of a wide range of different species in a given ecosystem or area. The term "variety of species" accurately captures this idea and aligns with the understanding of biodiversity as the measure of the diversity and abundance of different organisms within a particular habitat.

3. What is binomial nomenclature?

A group of different organisms that share similar characteristics

The first word of an organisms scientific name

The second word of an organisms scientific name

A scientific identification system that includes two-part naming of a particular species

Binomial nomenclature is a scientific identification system that includes two-part naming of a particular species. It is a method used to give each species a unique scientific name consisting of two parts, the genus name (the first word) and the species name (the second word). This system helps to standardize the naming of organisms and allows scientists from different regions and languages to easily communicate and identify species.

Explanation

Binomial nomenclature is a scientific identification system that includes two-part naming of a particular species. It is a method used to give each species a unique scientific name consisting of two parts, the genus name (the first word) and the species name (the second word). This system helps to standardize the naming of organisms and allows scientists from different regions and languages to easily communicate and identify species.

4. In the diagram shown, which of the classification schemes for fruit is a dichotomous key?

Scheme 1 is a dichotomous key.

Scheme 2 is a dichotomous key.

Both are dichotomous keys

Neither are dichotomous keys.

Scheme 1 is a dichotomous key because dichotomous keys ALWAYS use sets of two options to choose from as you identify an organism.

Explanation

Scheme 1 is a dichotomous key because dichotomous keys ALWAYS use sets of two options to choose from as you identify an organism.

5. Which of the following is one of the four basic functions for applying scientific names to individual species?

To figure out its evolutionary history

To classify the named organisms into kingdoms

To study individual organisms during field studies in the wild

To aid or help scientists in avoiding errors (mistakes) when communicating information

The correct answer is "to aid or help scientists in avoiding errors (mistakes) when communicating information". This function is important because scientific names provide a standardized way of referring to species, ensuring that there is no confusion or ambiguity when scientists communicate their findings. By using scientific names, scientists can avoid errors and mistakes that may arise from using common names, which can vary across different regions and languages. Scientific names also allow for accurate identification and classification of species, which is essential for research and understanding the natural world.

Explanation

The correct answer is "to aid or help scientists in avoiding errors (mistakes) when communicating information". This function is important because scientific names provide a standardized way of referring to species, ensuring that there is no confusion or ambiguity when scientists communicate their findings. By using scientific names, scientists can avoid errors and mistakes that may arise from using common names, which can vary across different regions and languages. Scientific names also allow for accurate identification and classification of species, which is essential for research and understanding the natural world.

Reading Science: The Key To Identification