# Explain why the binomial nomenclature system is considered more useful than using common names when classifying organisms.

> OCR A-Level Biology A (H420) — 4.3 Classification and evolution · Explain · 4 marks

> A team of researchers in Brazil and a separate team in Japan are both studying the same species of freshwater fish. The Brazilian team refers to the fish by its local Portuguese common name, whilst the Japanese team uses an entirely different name. When their findings are published, neither team realises they have been studying the same species.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Binomial nomenclature provides a single, universally agreed name for each species, understood by scientists worldwide
2. Common names vary between regions, languages or cultures, meaning the same organism can have multiple different common names
3. The binomial name consists of the genus name and species name (epithet), giving information about evolutionary / taxonomic relationships
4. Each species has a unique binomial name, so there is no ambiguity about which organism is being referred to

## Key terms

- [binomial nomenclature](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/binomial-nomenclature)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR A-Level Biology A (H420)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-the-binomial-nomenclature-system-f50de260) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.