Binomial nomenclature MCQs With Answer

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Binomial nomenclature MCQs With Answer is an essential revision set for B. Pharm students focusing on the standardized two-part naming of organisms used in taxonomy. This concise, keyword-rich introduction covers genus and species rules, Latinization, authority citation, relevant codes (ICN, ICZN, ICNP), tautonyms, synonyms, and practical importance in pharmacognosy and drug source identification. Understanding binomial names helps prevent misidentification of medicinal plants, ensure reproducible research, and support regulatory documentation. The questions emphasize nomenclature rules, examples, and applications directly relevant to pharmacy practice and herbal drug standardization. Now let’s test your knowledge with 50 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. What is binomial nomenclature?

  • A two-word Latinized naming system using genus and species
  • A single-word common name system
  • A numerical coding method for species
  • A long descriptive polynomial name

Correct Answer: A two-word Latinized naming system using genus and species

Q2. Who is credited with formalizing modern binomial nomenclature?

  • Carl Linnaeus
  • Charles Darwin
  • Gregor Mendel
  • Aristotle

Correct Answer: Carl Linnaeus

Q3. What is the correct formatting rule for writing a scientific name?

  • Genus capitalized, species lowercase, both italicized
  • Both genus and species capitalized and underlined
  • Genus lowercase, species uppercase in quotes
  • All uppercase with no italics

Correct Answer: Genus capitalized, species lowercase, both italicized

Q4. In binomial nomenclature, what does the genus indicate?

  • A group of closely related species
  • The individual organism
  • The chemical composition of the species
  • The local common name

Correct Answer: A group of closely related species

Q5. What is the specific epithet (species name) meant to denote?

  • The species within a genus
  • The family to which the organism belongs
  • The habitat only
  • The discoverer’s full name

Correct Answer: The species within a genus

Q6. Which code governs the nomenclature of plants, algae, and fungi?

  • International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN)
  • International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN)
  • International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP)
  • International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV)

Correct Answer: International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN)

Q7. Which code applies to animal species?

  • International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN)
  • International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN)
  • International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP)
  • International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV)

Correct Answer: International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN)

Q8. Which nomenclature code is relevant for prokaryotes (bacteria)?

  • International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP)
  • International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN)
  • International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN)
  • International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV)

Correct Answer: International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP)

Q9. The abbreviation “sp.” after a genus name denotes what?

  • An unspecified single species of that genus
  • Multiple species of the genus
  • A subspecies
  • An extinct species

Correct Answer: An unspecified single species of that genus

Q10. The abbreviation “spp.” indicates which of the following?

  • Multiple species within a genus
  • A single species only
  • A fossil species
  • A cultivated variety

Correct Answer: Multiple species within a genus

Q11. A tautonym is a binomial in which genus and species names are identical. In which discipline is this permitted?

  • Zoological nomenclature
  • Botanical nomenclature
  • Bacteriological nomenclature
  • Viral taxonomy

Correct Answer: Zoological nomenclature

Q12. Are tautonyms allowed under botanical nomenclature?

  • No, tautonyms are prohibited in botany
  • Yes, they are commonly used in botany
  • Allowed only for cultivated plants
  • Allowed if approved by ICZN

Correct Answer: No, tautonyms are prohibited in botany

Q13. A three-part (trinomial) name typically indicates which rank?

  • Subspecies
  • Family
  • Order
  • Genus

Correct Answer: Subspecies

Q14. When the original author’s name appears in parentheses after a species, what does this signify?

  • The species was moved to a different genus after the original description
  • The species is extinct
  • The original author is deceased
  • The name is a nomen nudum

Correct Answer: The species was moved to a different genus after the original description

Q15. What is a “type species”?

  • The species that defines and anchors a genus name
  • The most abundant species in a family
  • A hypothetical ancestral species
  • A cultivated variety used in commerce

Correct Answer: The species that defines and anchors a genus name

Q16. What does the principle of priority mean in nomenclature?

  • The earliest validly published name has precedence
  • The most commonly used name must be adopted
  • A name with more syllables is preferred
  • Family names take priority over species names

Correct Answer: The earliest validly published name has precedence

Q17. What is a “nomen nudum”?

  • A name published without an adequate description and therefore invalid
  • A name that has been conserved
  • A synonym that is widely used
  • A junior homonym

Correct Answer: A name published without an adequate description and therefore invalid

Q18. How are cultivar names correctly indicated?

  • In single quotation marks following the botanical name
  • Italicized and capitalized after the species
  • With the prefix cv.
  • Enclosed in square brackets after the family name

Correct Answer: In single quotation marks following the botanical name

Q19. Which language tradition underlies most scientific names?

  • Latin (and Latinized Greek)
  • Modern English
  • Sanskrit
  • Mandarin

Correct Answer: Latin (and Latinized Greek)

Q20. Why is correct binomial identification important in pharmacognosy?

  • Because different species yield different chemical constituents and therapeutic effects
  • Because it increases the market price of herbs
  • Because it determines the plant’s color
  • Because binomial names are easier to trademark

Correct Answer: Because different species yield different chemical constituents and therapeutic effects

Q21. The abbreviation “cf.” placed before a species name usually means what?

  • Compare with; tentative identification
  • Confirmed identification
  • Cultivated form
  • Type specimen

Correct Answer: Compare with; tentative identification

Q22. When handwriting scientific names, what is the correct convention if italics are unavailable?

  • Underline the genus and species separately
  • Use quotation marks around the name
  • Capitalize both words and use bold
  • Write in all capitals

Correct Answer: Underline the genus and species separately

Q23. In nomenclature, what is a synonym?

  • Different names that refer to the same taxon
  • A misspelling of a scientific name
  • The oldest name only
  • A name used only in trade

Correct Answer: Different names that refer to the same taxon

Q24. What is a homonym in biological nomenclature?

  • The same name used for different taxa, with only the earliest valid one retained
  • A name with a spelling error
  • A conserved name
  • A synonym published by the same author

Correct Answer: The same name used for different taxa, with only the earliest valid one retained

Q25. What is a basionym?

  • The original name on which a new combination is based
  • A conserved replacement name
  • A type specimen stored in a museum
  • An unpublished manuscript name

Correct Answer: The original name on which a new combination is based

Q26. The abbreviation “nom. nov.” stands for which concept?

  • A replacement name (nomen novum)
  • An invalid name
  • A conserved name
  • A misspelled name

Correct Answer: A replacement name (nomen novum)

Q27. What does “comb. nov.” indicate after a species name?

  • A new combination, usually after transfer to a different genus
  • A newly discovered species
  • A conserved name
  • A rejected synonym

Correct Answer: A new combination, usually after transfer to a different genus

Q28. What is the standard suffix for plant family names?

  • -aceae
  • -idae
  • -phyta
  • -formes

Correct Answer: -aceae

Q29. Which abbreviation is standard for subspecies in botanical nomenclature?

  • subsp.
  • var.
  • f.
  • ssppl.

Correct Answer: subsp.

Q30. Which of the following is the correct scientific name for humans?

  • Homo sapiens
  • Homo Sapiens
  • homo sapiens
  • Homo sapiens (non-italicized)

Correct Answer: Homo sapiens

Q31. When naming a species after a man, which specific epithet ending is commonly used?

  • -ii
  • -ae
  • -ensis only
  • -iformis

Correct Answer: -ii

Q32. When a species is named after a woman, which ending is typically applied?

  • -ae
  • -ii
  • -ensis
  • -us

Correct Answer: -ae

Q33. Which of the following is formatted incorrectly as a scientific name?

  • Euphorbia hirta
  • Laurus Nobilis
  • Piper nigrum
  • Ocimum tenuiflorum

Correct Answer: Laurus Nobilis

Q34. After the full scientific name has been used once, how may it be abbreviated subsequently?

  • By using the capitalized genus initial and full species epithet (e.g., E. coli)
  • By using only the species epithet
  • By using an acronym of the full name
  • By using the family name instead

Correct Answer: By using the capitalized genus initial and full species epithet (e.g., E. coli)

Q35. What is a type specimen?

  • The physical specimen designated as the reference for a species description
  • A hypothetical specimen reconstructed from descriptions
  • An illustration only
  • A DNA sequence without a specimen

Correct Answer: The physical specimen designated as the reference for a species description

Q36. Which organization governs virus taxonomy and nomenclature?

  • International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV)
  • International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN)
  • International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN)
  • International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP)

Correct Answer: International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV)

Q37. What does “nom. cons.” refer to in nomenclature?

  • A conserved name to preserve stability
  • A name to be discarded
  • An informal common name
  • A misspelt name

Correct Answer: A conserved name to preserve stability

Q38. What is “nomen oblitum”?

  • A forgotten name suppressed in favor of a more widely used one
  • A newly published name
  • A name published only in a thesis
  • A homonym

Correct Answer: A forgotten name suppressed in favor of a more widely used one

Q39. In a binomial, which part is the generic name?

  • The first part
  • The second part
  • Either part
  • Neither; it is the family name

Correct Answer: The first part

Q40. Which of the following are considered infraspecific ranks?

  • Subspecies, variety, and form
  • Family, order, and class
  • Genus and family only
  • Kingdom and domain

Correct Answer: Subspecies, variety, and form

Q41. What is the correct way to abbreviate a genus name after it has been mentioned in full?

  • Use the capitalized initial with a period, then the species epithet (e.g., E. coli)
  • Use only the species epithet without the genus
  • Use lowercase initial without a period
  • Replace with the family name

Correct Answer: Use the capitalized initial with a period, then the species epithet (e.g., E. coli)

Q42. The abbreviation “sp. nov.” indicates what in a taxonomic publication?

  • A newly described species (species nova)
  • An invalid name
  • A conserved name
  • A species with no type specimen

Correct Answer: A newly described species (species nova)

Q43. What does the abbreviation “aff.” convey when used with a species name?

  • Affinis; similar to but not definitely that species
  • Affirmed identification
  • Affiliated cultivar
  • Afforestation origin

Correct Answer: Affinis; similar to but not definitely that species

Q44. In botanical nomenclature, which abbreviation denotes a variety?

  • var.
  • subsp.
  • f.
  • cv.

Correct Answer: var.

Q45. Arrange the taxonomic ranks from broadest to most specific.

  • Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species
  • Species, genus, family, order, class, phylum, kingdom
  • Genus, family, order, class, phylum, kingdom, species
  • Family, order, class, phylum, kingdom, genus, species

Correct Answer: Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species

Q46. Why is precise binomial naming critical for drug safety and standardization?

  • Because different species can have distinct toxicities and active constituents
  • Because it increases the shelf life of drugs
  • Because it simplifies marketing claims
  • Because common names are trademark protected

Correct Answer: Because different species can have distinct toxicities and active constituents

Q47. Which symbol is commonly used to denote a hybrid between species or genera?

  • The multiplication sign “×” (or “x”)
  • An asterisk “*” after the name
  • Brackets around the name
  • A plus sign “+” before the genus

Correct Answer: The multiplication sign “×” (or “x”)

Q48. Why is checking synonyms important when researching pharmacological properties of a medicinal plant?

  • Because literature and herb sources may use different names for the same species
  • Because synonyms change the chemical structure
  • Because synonyms indicate toxic varieties only
  • Because synonyms are only used in zoology

Correct Answer: Because literature and herb sources may use different names for the same species

Q49. What is the main difference between a botanical “variety” and a “cultivar”?

  • Variety occurs naturally; cultivar is a cultivated selection
  • Variety is always larger than cultivar
  • Cultivar occurs in the wild; variety is lab-made
  • They are identical terms in nomenclature

Correct Answer: Variety occurs naturally; cultivar is a cultivated selection

Q50. For a botanical name to be validly published, which of the following is required?

  • An effectively published name accompanied by a description or diagnosis and a designated type specimen
  • Only a common name published in a local newspaper
  • Publication without any description but with photographs
  • A private letter to a colleague describing the species

Correct Answer: An effectively published name accompanied by a description or diagnosis and a designated type specimen

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