Two-part scientific names

Grade 7 Science Worksheet - Challenge Me

Circle the best answer.

1. Read this first

   Comparison chart (ITIS)

   common name	genus	species
   red maple	Acer	rubrum
   northern red oak	Quercus	rubra

2. 1.

   The red maple is Acer rubrum and the northern red oak is Quercus rubra. Does "red" make them the same genus, Bo?

   • Yes: rubrum and rubra match
   • No: their genera differ
   • Yes: both are trees
   • Yes: both have red in the name
3. 2.

   The bobcat is Lynx rufus and the Canada lynx is Lynx canadensis. Only one is called a lynx. Are they in the same genus, Esme?

   • No: their species words differ
   • Yes: both are Lynx
   • No: one lives in Canada
   • No: their common names differ
4. 3.

   Jun says the domestic cat must be the lion's closest relative on the chart, since both are cats. Agree or disagree?

   • Disagree: lions have no relatives
   • Disagree: the tiger shares its genus
   • Agree: cats are one genus
   • Agree: both are called cats
5. 4.

   Kira says two living things with the same species word, like rubra and rubrum, are close relatives. Agree or disagree?

   • Disagree: neither word matters
   • Agree: red things are related
   • Agree: the same species word means relatives
   • Disagree: relatives share a genus
6. 5.

   Quercus = oak; Acer = maple; rubra = red; alba = white. Using the key, which name means red oak, Milo?

   • Rubra quercus
   • Acer rubra
   • Quercus rubra
   • Quercus alba
7. 6.

   Ursus = bear; maritimus = of the sea. Using the key, which word part of Ursus maritimus fits polar bears' life on sea ice, Noah?

   • Both mean ice
   • maritimus, of the sea
   • Ursus, bear
   • Neither part
8. 7.

   Helio = sun; anthus = flower; annuus = yearly. Using the key, which name means yearly sun flower, Pia?

   • Helianthus annuus
   • Helianthus helianthus
   • Annuus anthus
   • Annuus helianthus

9. Comparison chart (ITIS)

   common name	genus	species
   polar bear	Ursus	maritimus
   brown bear	Ursus	arctos
   gray wolf	Canis	lupus
   red fox	Vulpes	vulpes

10. 8.

    Using the chart, which pair is most closely related, Ren?

    • Gray wolf and red fox, as both are dog-like
    • Polar bear and gray wolf
    • Brown bear and red fox, as both are brown or red
    • Polar bear and brown bear
11. 9.

    Using the chart, which pair is most closely related, Tala?

    • Sugar maple and sunflower
    • Red maple and sugar maple
    • Northern red oak and sunflower
    • Red maple and northern red oak, as both are red
12. 10.

    Using the chart, which pair is most closely related, Zee?

    • Canada lynx and domestic cat
    • Jaguar and Canada lynx
    • Domestic cat and lion, as both are cats
    • Jaguar and lion