Genus
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Organisms in a particular family are further divided into a genus. There are quite a few genera but each genus only has a few members. Genera are used to give the scientific name of an organism. Scientific names binomial because they are made up of two names. The first name is always the organisms' genus. Knowing the scientific name helps people know and understand key characteristics of a particular organism without ever having to see it directly. This binomial system of naming organisms is universal. People all over the world have a common language when it comes to the scientific names of organisms. Humans belong to the genus Homo. We are the only surviving members of this genus. All other members, such as the Neanderthals, are now extinct. |
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