NEET 2019 Botany Binomial Nomenclature MCQ Question

Explanation of the Correct Answer (D: Mangifera indica Linn)

Why Answer D is Correct:

The correct scientific name of the Mango is written as Mangifera indica Linn. In this case:

• Mangifera is the genus name.
• indica is the species name.
• The abbreviation Linn. refers to Carolus Linnaeus, the botanist who originally described the species.

In binomial nomenclature, the genus name is always capitalized and the species name is written in lowercase. When citing the author who named the species, it is standard practice to abbreviate their name. Hence, the correct format includes "Linn." to indicate Linnaeus.

Why Other Options are Incorrect:

1. Option A: Mangifera indica

   • This option is incomplete as it does not include the author’s name. While it correctly states the genus and species, it lacks the proper attribution to Linnaeus.

2. Option B: Mangifera Indica

   • Although this option has the correct genus and species, it incorrectly capitalizes the species name "Indica." In binomial nomenclature, the genus is capitalized and the species is lowercase. Therefore, this option is not written in the correct format.

3. Option C: Mangifera indica Car. Linn.

   • This option introduces an incorrect abbreviation. "Car." is not a standard abbreviation used for Carolus Linnaeus. The proper abbreviation is "Linn." Hence, while it contains the correct genus and species, the mention of the author is incorrect.

Key Concepts in Binomial Nomenclature:

• Genus and Species: The scientific name consists of two parts: the first part is the genus name, and the second is the species name.
• Capitalization Rules: The genus name is always capitalized, while the species name is not.
• Author Citation: The author’s name who first described the species can be included, typically abbreviated.

Conclusion:

In summary, the scientifically accepted format for naming species is crucial for clear communication in the biological sciences. The correct answer to the question is D: Mangifera indica Linn. because it adheres to the rules of binomial nomenclature, presenting both the species and the author’s name correctly.