- Firstly, try and synthesise a description for a Scientific name using the web resources given. You should aim to condense all the infomation in one paragraph.
Classification methods and the language origins are important factors!
How to write Scientific names of animals?
How animals are given Scientific names?
- Your second task is to use your definition and the resources below to find the Scientific name of your dog, a cat, a rose and a butterfly. It does not have to be an exact matching of spots, stripes or even petal shapes...you go on and try your luck at spotting the correct name. Take a look at the example classification of wolves and domestic dog to get some ideas . In addition to this a sample worksheet has been done for you to give you an idea about the expected quality of work!
Get the task sheet and print it out.
Plants: common and Scientific names
Authority lists for consistency in classification
"... precise sample identification can be very important. For example, Retrovirus.Ebola.Zaire has an 80 percent chance of killing you horribly, but Retrovirus.Ebola.Reston (which looks identical) might give you a runny-nose" (http://www.wildlist.org/naming.htm)
- In the second task you have not focussed on the finer details since the process of naming is complex in itself and you must have realised this by now. Probably this is a good time to finally write up a paper which comprises your opinion of current Scientific nomenclature, a decision on whether you want to continue using it or need to make changes to it. Even if you want to use the current standards or want to make changes, you have to provide evidence and reasoning to support your point of view. This part of the tasks demands collaborative work between you and two of your colleagues. You compare and contrast the results of task 2 above. After doing that, you will take one of the following responsibilities:
to analyse viewpoints and facts collected by the group (analyst)
to writeup the final document (writer)
to present the paper and your group's viewpoint to the Science club event (presenter)
The presentation is expected to be atmost 10 minutes long!
Print and use this as an outline of your project.
The following websites present the different viewpoints on Scientific naming and you may find these useful in shaping your ideas on this issue.
Is it time to revise the Scientific naming system?
If you need additional information on effective presentations then refer to these sites: