Nonscientists Often Use the Words ''Name," ''Identify," and ''Classify" Interchangeably

question 49

Multiple Choice

Nonscientists often use the words ''name," ''identify," and ''classify" interchangeably. When they want to know what an organism is, they may ask "Can you name this?" or "Can you identify this?" or "Can you classify this?" Which of the following is/are correct usage(s) of the term(s) ?

• A) Only the scientist who first describes a new species actually names it.
• B) Classifying is grouping, and to classify something requires several organisms so you can group one as closer to a second and distant from a third.
• C) A farmer is using a key to detect pest insect species in his fields is identifying insects but not naming or necessarily classifying them.
• D) A scientist who publishes the name and description of a new species must necessarily also know both how to identify and classify the species.
• E) All of the choices are correct.

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