Scientific Names of Animals and Plants: Top GK Quiz for Competitive Exams

Scientific Names of Animals and Plants represent the standardized global system for species identification. These names, primarily rooted in Latin or Greek, were formalized by the Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus. Biologists worldwide adhere to strict international protocols—the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN) and the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN)—to ensure accurate and universal classification of organisms.

The system of scientific nomenclature, or binomial nomenclature, is a “two-name” system where the first component identifies the genus and the second identifies the species. For example, the scientific name of Tulsi is Ocimum Tenuiflorum. Here, Ocimum denotes the genus, while Tenuiflorum denotes the specific epithet or species.

Scientific Names of Animals And Plants

General knowledge (GK questions) on the Scientific Names of Animals and Plants are a staple for NEET aspirants and students preparing for various competitive examinations. Practice the quiz below to memorize critical scientific names and sharpen your biological proficiency.

Q1. What is the scientific name of a Dog?

A) Loxodonta Africana

B) Mus Musculus

C) Canis lupus familiaris

D) Equus Africanus

Answer: (C) The domestic dog is a member of the Canidae family and Carnivora order. Its recognized scientific name is Canis lupus familiaris.

Q2. What is the scientific name of a Mango?

A) Mangifera Indica

B) Mangifera indica Cra. Linn.

C) Mangifera indica Linn

D) Mangifera Indica

Answer: (D) Binomial nomenclature dictates that the genus name is capitalized and the species epithet is lowercase. Mangifera indica is the scientific name of the mango; Mangifera represents the genus, and indica refers to the species.

Q3. What is the scientific name of a Hibiscus?

A) Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis

B) Solanum Nigrum

C) Oryza Sativa

D) Helianthus Annuus

Answer: (A) Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is the botanical name for the tropical hibiscus. A member of the Malvaceae family, this flowering plant is widely cultivated globally for its ornamental value in tropical and subtropical climates.

Q4. What is the scientific name of a cat?

A) Canis Lupus Familiaris

B) Felis Cactus

C) Bubalus Bubalis

D) Bos Taurus

Answer: (B) The scientific name of the domestic cat is Felis catus. It is the only domesticated member of the Felidae family.

Q5. What is the scientific name of a human being?

A) Homo Sapiens

B) Rana Tigrina

C) Pavo Cristatus

D) Brassica Rapa

Answer: (A) The scientific name of modern humans is Homo sapiens, a term coined by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. The name is derived from Latin, translating to “wise man.”

Q6. What is the scientific name of a  Neem?

A) Rosa Grandiflora

B) Azadirachta Indica

C) Oryza Sativa

D) Ocium Tenuiflorium

Answer: (B) Azadirachta indica is the scientific name of the Neem tree. Often called the Indian lilac, it is a significant member of the Meliaceae family known for its wide-ranging medicinal properties.

Q7. What is the scientific name of a Tulsi?

A) Ociumum Tenuiflorium

B) Calotropis Procera

C) Helianthus Annuus

D) Azadirachta Indica

Answer: (A) Tulsi is considered a sacred and medicinal plant in India. Its botanical name is Ocimum tenuiflorum, where Ocimum is the genus and Tenuiflorum is the species.

Q8. What is the scientific name of a Tomato?

A) Solanum Tuberosum

B) Solanum Lycopersicum 

C) Solanum Nigrum

D) Solanum Carolinense 

Answer: (B) The tomato, an edible berry, is the fruit of the plant Solanum lycopersicum.

Q9. What is the scientific name of a Banana?

A) Musa Paradisiaca

B) Calotropis Procera

C) Mimosa Pudica

D) Iberis Amara

Answer: (A) The banana is an elongated, edible fruit, botanically classified as a berry. Its scientific name is Musa paradisiaca.

Q10. What is the Scientific name of an Indian Frog?

A) Agalychnis Callidyras

B) Conraua Goliath

C) Hyla

D) Rana Tigrina

Answer: (D) The frog is a vertebrate belonging to the class Amphibia. Its scientific name is Rana tigrina.

Q11. What is the scientific name of a Potato?

A) Solanum Tuberosum

B) Calotropis Procera

C) Mimosa Pudica

D) Solanum Lycopersicum

Answer: (A) The potato is a starchy root vegetable tuber from the plant Solanum tuberosum, a perennial member of the nightshade family Solanaceae.

Q12. What is the scientific name of a Tiger?

A) Panthera Leo

B) Panthera Tigris

C) Panthera Pardus

D) Panthera Onca

Answer: (B) As the largest living cat species, the tiger is a prominent member of the genus Panthera. Its scientific name is Panthera tigris.

Q13. What is the scientific name of Wheat?

A) Mangifera Indica

B) Triticum Aestivum

C) Musca Domestica

D) P. Pardus

Answer: (B) Wheat is a widely cultivated cereal grain and a global staple food. Its scientific name is Triticum aestivum. 

Q14. What is the scientific name of Brinjal?

A) Solanum Melongena

B) Solanum Tuberosum

C) Solanum Lycopersicum

D) Solanum  Carolinense 

Answer: (A) The scientific name of the brinjal (eggplant) is Solanum melongena. It is a warm-weather crop grown extensively in tropical and subtropical regions.

Q15. What is the scientific name of a Cockroach?

A) Periplaneta Americana and Blatta Indica

B) Periplaneta Orientalis and Blatta Americana

C) Periplaneta Americana and Blatta Orientalis

D) Both A and B

Answer: (C) The American cockroach is identified as Periplaneta americana, while the oriental cockroach is known as Blatta orientalis. Both belong to the phylum Arthropoda, characterized by segmented bodies divided into a head, thorax, and abdomen.