2007-02-23 23:42:25 · 9 answers · asked by Leanne 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Well i understand how they are used, like in proper nomenclature... The actual meaning of the names sometimes are not so clear, but they usually relate to some physical or biological aspect of the animal/organism itself. There are actually books on Latin/English translations in a biological context that you can use to get the actual meaning of the organism's name.
Hope this answers your question!
2007-02-24 01:29:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can. Scientific names are very descriptive and can tell you a lot about the organism. Learn a little Latin and you will find them easier to understand. The Latin terms never change in meaning since Latin is a "dead" language and is no longer spoken. That means the language cannot change due to new technology and new words such as computer, megabyte, television, etc.
2007-02-23 23:53:12 · answer #2 · answered by physandchemteach 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just another note: many scientific names are not Latin but are "latinized." Some organisms are named after the person who discovered them or:
"A specific name ending in –i or –ii is a patronym, that is, a name honoring a male; for example, if you want to name a new species of the fish genus Apogon after your boyfriend and his name is Alexander, you would say Apogon alexanderi.
A specific name ending in –ae is a matronym, that is, a name honoring a female; for example, if you want to name a new species of the fish genus Rasbora after your girlfriend and her name is Rosalind, you would say Rasbora rosalindae."
See link below for more info on scientific names.
2007-02-24 07:33:43 · answer #3 · answered by A1973 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What's to understand? You can look up the meaning of the often Greek and Latin words but you don't need to. Just work on your pronunciation. You don't have to know what a name means to use it - how many friends do you have? Do you know what all their names mean? Didn't think so!
Stop stressing over it.
2007-02-24 00:13:08 · answer #4 · answered by Leviathan 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Latin is the language that is used for scientific names
2007-02-25 02:11:06 · answer #5 · answered by hill bill y 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Me ...and why I hear you ask ...because I am Greek and all scientific names are based on Greek meanings.therefore I understand .
2007-02-23 23:46:25 · answer #6 · answered by Jesus G 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
everyone CAN if they study what they are or the greek and latin languages but not many people do.
2007-02-23 23:50:47 · answer #7 · answered by kid 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can just say them over abd over again and you will memorize them
2007-02-23 23:48:38 · answer #8 · answered by AwesomeJoey 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Uh.... who can't?
2007-02-24 05:04:44 · answer #9 · answered by Strix 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋