In biological classification and scientific naming, who is credited with founding and popularising the system of binomial nomenclature for naming species?

Introduction / Context:
Binomial nomenclature is the standard system used worldwide to give every species a scientific name consisting of two parts, such as Homo sapiens for humans. This method avoids confusion caused by local or common names and allows scientists to communicate clearly across languages and regions. The question asks you to recall which scientist developed and popularised this systematic way of naming living organisms.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The term used is binomial nomenclature, meaning a two name system.
• The names typically include a genus name followed by a species name.
• Several famous scientists are listed, including Charles Darwin, Robert Hooke, Carl Linnaeus, and Lamarck.
• We focus on who founded and standardised this naming system, not on who proposed evolution or discovered cells.

Concept / Approach:
Carl Linnaeus, an eighteenth century Swedish botanist, is widely recognised as the father of taxonomy and as the founder of binomial nomenclature. He introduced a consistent system of classifying and naming plants and animals using Latin two word names, which was later adopted and refined by the scientific community. Other scientists on the list made major contributions in different areas, such as evolution theory or early microscopy, but not specifically the naming system. Therefore, the correct answer must be Carl Linnaeus.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that binomial nomenclature gives each species a two part Latin name, such as Rosa indica or Panthera leo. Step 2: Remember that this system was organised and popularised in the work of Carl Linnaeus. Step 3: Check the options and find Carl Linnaeus among the given scientists. Step 4: Verify that Charles Darwin is better known for the theory of evolution by natural selection, not for creating the naming system. Step 5: Confirm that Robert Hooke and Lamarck are associated with other discoveries, rather than binomial nomenclature, and choose Carl Linnaeus as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Scientific and biology textbooks often refer to Linnaeus as the father of modern taxonomy and explicitly mention that he introduced binomial nomenclature. The system is sometimes called the Linnaean system in his honour. Darwin, by contrast, focused on evolutionary relationships rather than initial naming conventions. Hooke is known for observing cells in cork, and Lamarck for an early evolutionary theory. These distinctions confirm that Linnaeus is uniquely linked to the foundation of binomial nomenclature.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Charles Darwin developed the theory of evolution by natural selection but did not create the binomial naming system. Robert Hooke contributed to early microscopy and coined the term cell while observing cork slices, not to species naming. Jean Baptiste Lamarck proposed an early theory of evolution based on inheritance of acquired characteristics, which was later largely rejected, and he did not found binomial nomenclature. Thus, none of these scientists match the specific contribution asked about in the question.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes associate famous names like Darwin with every concept in biology and may incorrectly credit him with binomial nomenclature. Others may simply pick a name they recognize without recalling the exact contribution. To avoid such confusion, it is helpful to link each scientist with one key idea: Linnaeus with classification and naming, Darwin with natural selection, Hooke with cells, and Lamarck with an early evolutionary hypothesis. Keeping these associations clear makes questions about scientific contributions easier to answer.

Final Answer:
The system of binomial nomenclature was founded and popularised by Carl Linnaeus.