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What limits do common names have?

They are descriptive of the organism.

They are non-descriptive of the organism.

They often use multiple words.

They can be in different languages.

They depend on geography.

None of the above

User Jozo
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

Common names for organisms have limitations such as being descriptive or non-descriptive, variable across languages and geographies, and often comprising multiple words; these factors underscore the value of the universal binomial naming system.

Step-by-step explanation:

The limits of common names include that they can be descriptive or non-descriptive of the organism, often use multiple words, can be in different languages, and often depend on geography.

Common names may vary widely between regions and languages, which can cause confusion. For example, the plant known as 'cougar's tail' in one region might have a very different common name elsewhere.

By contrast, the binomial naming system gives each species a unique, universally recognized name that prevents such confusion. The limitations of common names illustrate the importance of the scientific binomial naming system developed by Linnaeus, which assigns each species a unique two-part name that is accepted globally.

User Bibhudatta Sahoo
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