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Who was Carolus Linneaus and what were his contributions to classification and species identification? What is binomial nomenclature?

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Final answer:

Carolus Linnaeus, known as the father of taxonomy, developed the Linnaean classification system and introduced binomial nomenclature, giving each species a unique two-word Latin name.

Step-by-step explanation:

Swedish botanist, zoologist, and physician Carolus Linnaeus is known as the "father of taxonomy" for his work in the 1700s. He developed the Linnaean classification system, grouping organisms based on shared morphological traits, such as the number of legs or the shape of leaves. His publication, Systema Naturae, laid the groundwork for modern taxonomy. Linnaeus made significant contributions by inventing a hierarchical taxonomic system to classify living things. This system allowed for a standardized way to discuss organisms using consistent terminology and also facilitated the expansion of scientific knowledge to include newly discovered species.

Binomial nomenclature is a system introduced by Linnaeus for naming organisms using two unique names: the genus name, which is capitalized, and the species name, which is all lowercase. Both are set in italics when written. This method provides each species with a unique, universally recognized two-word Latin name, thereby resolving the confusion caused by regional differences in common names. An example is the binomial name for humans, Homo sapiens, which means "wise human".

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