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Biology
Grade 7-11
Taxonomy & Binomial Nomenclature Cheat Sheet
A printable reference covering taxonomic ranks, domains, kingdoms, binomial nomenclature rules, genus, species, and scientific name formatting for grades 7-11.
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Taxonomy is the system scientists use to classify living things based on shared traits and evolutionary relationships. This cheat sheet helps students organize the major taxonomic ranks from broad groups to specific species. It also explains why scientific names are used instead of common names, which can vary by language or region. Students in grades 7-11 can use it as a quick reference for classification, naming rules, and biology vocabulary.
Key Facts
- The taxonomic hierarchy from broadest to most specific is Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
- A species is usually the most specific taxonomic rank and refers to organisms that can reproduce and produce fertile offspring under natural conditions.
- Binomial nomenclature gives each species a two-part scientific name made of the genus name and the specific epithet.
- In a scientific name, the genus is capitalized and the specific epithet is lowercase, as in Homo sapiens.
- Scientific names should be italicized when typed or underlined when handwritten, such as Panthera leo or Panthera leo underlined.
- The three domains are Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.
- Organisms in the same genus are more closely related than organisms in the same family but different genera.
- A taxon is any named group in classification, such as Mammalia, Primates, Felidae, or Panthera.
Vocabulary
- Taxonomy
- Taxonomy is the science of naming, describing, and classifying living things.
- Taxon
- A taxon is a named group of organisms at any level of classification.
- Binomial nomenclature
- Binomial nomenclature is the two-part naming system that gives each species a unique scientific name.
- Genus
- A genus is a classification rank that groups closely related species together.
- Species
- A species is a group of similar organisms that can usually reproduce with one another and produce fertile offspring.
- Domain
- A domain is the broadest taxonomic rank and separates life into Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Writing the species name alone as the full scientific name is wrong because binomial nomenclature requires both the genus and the specific epithet.
- Capitalizing both words in a scientific name is wrong because only the genus is capitalized, while the specific epithet is lowercase.
- Forgetting italics or underlining is wrong because scientific names must be shown in a special format to distinguish them from common names.
- Mixing up broad and specific ranks is wrong because Domain is the broadest level and Species is the most specific level.
- Assuming common names are universal is wrong because the same organism can have different common names in different places or languages.
Practice Questions
- 1 Put these taxonomic ranks in order from broadest to most specific: Family, Domain, Species, Class, Genus, Kingdom, Order, Phylum.
- 2 A cat is classified as Domain Eukarya, Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Mammalia, Order Carnivora, Family Felidae, Genus Felis, Species catus. What is its scientific name?
- 3 Correct the scientific name formatting in this example: panthera Leo.
- 4 Why do biologists use scientific names instead of only using common names?