🧬 Organism Builder Laboratory
Create Creatures Using Latin & Greek Scientific Nomenclature
When scientists discovered organisms that were "new to them" they often named them using Greek or Latin terms based on the organism's characteristics. This webpage attempts to show you that and get you to understand that better.
Homo sapiens
Human
Homo = "human"
sapiens = "wise"
Tyrannosaurus rex
T. Rex
Tyranno- = "tyrant"
-saurus = "lizard"
rex = "king"
Drosophila melanogaster
Fruit Fly
Droso- = "dew" / -phila = "loving"
Melano- = "black" / -gaster = "belly"
Acer rubrum
Red Maple
Acer = "maple"
rubrum = "red"
🔍 Name That Organism Challenge
Look at the organism and its name's meaning. Can you select the correct scientific name?
Challenge 1 of 10
Prefixes
Roots
Suffixes
This organism's name means: "..."
Score: 0/10
🔬 Build Your Organism
Select a prefix, root, and suffix to create your organism. If your combination matches a real scientific name, we'll show you the actual organism!
Your Organism Formula:
Prefix
—
Select a prefix
+
Root
—
Select a root
+
Suffix
—
Select a suffix