Systematic name
Encyclopedia
A systematic name is a name given in a systematic way to one unique group, organism, object or chemical substance
, out of a specific population or collection. Systematic names are usually part of a nomenclature
.
A semisystematic name or semitrivial name is a name that has at least one systematic part and at least one trivial
part.
Creating systematic names can be as simple as assigning a prefix
or a number to each object (in which case they are a type of numbering scheme
), or as complex as encoding the complete structure of the object in the name. Many systems combine some information about the named object with an extra sequence number to make it into a unique identifier
.
Systematic names often co-exist with earlier common names assigned before the creation of any systematic naming system. For example, many common chemicals are still referred to by their common or trivial names, even by chemists.
, thus giving some information about its chemical properties.
For IUPAC nomenclature
, the Gold Book
gives the definition:
"A name composed wholly of specially coined or selected syllables, with or without numerical prefixes; e.g. pentane, oxazole."
Here, trivial names can be systematic names or part of it, as they have become part of IUPAC nomenclature. For example, benzene
(which is cyclohexatriene) or glycerol
(which is trihydroxypropane).
Chemical substance
In chemistry, a chemical substance is a form of matter that has constant chemical composition and characteristic properties. It cannot be separated into components by physical separation methods, i.e. without breaking chemical bonds. They can be solids, liquids or gases.Chemical substances are...
, out of a specific population or collection. Systematic names are usually part of a nomenclature
Nomenclature
Nomenclature is a term that applies to either a list of names or terms, or to the system of principles, procedures and terms related to naming - which is the assigning of a word or phrase to a particular object or property...
.
A semisystematic name or semitrivial name is a name that has at least one systematic part and at least one trivial
Trivial name
In chemistry, a trivial name is a common name or vernacular name; it is a non-systematic name or non-scientific name. That is, the name is not recognised according to the rules of any formal system of nomenclature...
part.
Creating systematic names can be as simple as assigning a prefix
Prefix
A prefix is an affix which is placed before the root of a word. Particularly in the study of languages,a prefix is also called a preformative, because it alters the form of the words to which it is affixed.Examples of prefixes:...
or a number to each object (in which case they are a type of numbering scheme
Numbering scheme
There are many different numbering schemes for assigning nominal numbers to entities. These generally require an agreed set of rules, or a central coordinator. The schemes can be considered to be examples of a primary key of a database management system table, whose table definitions require a...
), or as complex as encoding the complete structure of the object in the name. Many systems combine some information about the named object with an extra sequence number to make it into a unique identifier
Unique identifier
With reference to a given set of objects, a unique identifier is any identifier which is guaranteed to be unique among all identifiers used for those objects and for a specific purpose...
.
Systematic names often co-exist with earlier common names assigned before the creation of any systematic naming system. For example, many common chemicals are still referred to by their common or trivial names, even by chemists.
In chemistry
In chemistry, a systematic name describes the chemical structure of a substanceChemical substance
In chemistry, a chemical substance is a form of matter that has constant chemical composition and characteristic properties. It cannot be separated into components by physical separation methods, i.e. without breaking chemical bonds. They can be solids, liquids or gases.Chemical substances are...
, thus giving some information about its chemical properties.
For IUPAC nomenclature
IUPAC nomenclature
A chemical nomenclature is a set of rules to generate systematic names for chemical compounds. The nomenclature used most frequently worldwide is the one created and developed by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry ....
, the Gold Book
Gold Book
The Compendium of Chemical Terminology is a book published by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry containing internationally accepted definitions for terms in chemistry...
gives the definition:
"A name composed wholly of specially coined or selected syllables, with or without numerical prefixes; e.g. pentane, oxazole."
Here, trivial names can be systematic names or part of it, as they have become part of IUPAC nomenclature. For example, benzene
Benzene
Benzene is an organic chemical compound. It is composed of 6 carbon atoms in a ring, with 1 hydrogen atom attached to each carbon atom, with the molecular formula C6H6....
(which is cyclohexatriene) or glycerol
Glycerol
Glycerol is a simple polyol compound. It is a colorless, odorless, viscous liquid that is widely used in pharmaceutical formulations. Glycerol has three hydroxyl groups that are responsible for its solubility in water and its hygroscopic nature. The glycerol backbone is central to all lipids...
(which is trihydroxypropane).
Examples
There are standardized systematic or semi-systematic names for:- chemical elementsSystematic element nameA systematic element name is the temporary name and symbol assigned to newly synthesized and not yet synthesized chemical elements. In chemistry, a transuranic element receives a permanent name and symbol only after its synthesis has been confirmed. In some cases, this has been a protracted and...
(following IUPAC guidelines) - chemical compoundsIUPAC nomenclatureA chemical nomenclature is a set of rules to generate systematic names for chemical compounds. The nomenclature used most frequently worldwide is the one created and developed by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry ....
(following IUPAC guidelines) - biological organismsBinomial nomenclatureBinomial nomenclature is a formal system of naming species of living things by giving each a name composed of two parts, both of which use Latin grammatical forms, although they can be based on words from other languages...
, initiated by Carl Linnaeus - astronomical objects and entitiesAstronomical naming conventionsIn ancient times, only the Sun and Moon, a few hundred stars and the most easily visible planets had names. Over the last few hundred years, the number of identified astronomical objects has risen from hundreds to over a billion, and more are discovered every year...
(administered by the International Astronomical UnionInternational Astronomical UnionThe International Astronomical Union IAU is a collection of professional astronomers, at the Ph.D. level and beyond, active in professional research and education in astronomy...
) - genesGene nomenclatureGene nomenclature is the scientific naming of genes, the units of heredity in living organisms. An international committee published recommendations for genetic symbols and nomenclature in 1957. The need to develop formal guidelines for human gene names and symbols was recognized in the 1960s and...
(following HGNCHUGO Gene Nomenclature CommitteeThe HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee approves a unique and meaningful name for every known human gene based on a query of experts. In addition to a long name, the HGNC also assigns an abbreviation to every gene...
procedures) - proteins
- minerals (administered by the IMAInternational Mineralogical AssociationThe International Mineralogical Association is an international group of 38 national societies. The goal is to promote the science of mineralogy and to standardize the nomenclature of the 4000 plus known mineral species...
)
See also
- Biological classificationBiological classificationBiological classification, or scientific classification in biology, is a method to group and categorize organisms by biological type, such as genus or species. Biological classification is part of scientific taxonomy....
- Chemical elementChemical elementA chemical element is a pure chemical substance consisting of one type of atom distinguished by its atomic number, which is the number of protons in its nucleus. Familiar examples of elements include carbon, oxygen, aluminum, iron, copper, gold, mercury, and lead.As of November 2011, 118 elements...
- Chemical compoundChemical compoundA chemical compound is a pure chemical substance consisting of two or more different chemical elements that can be separated into simpler substances by chemical reactions. Chemical compounds have a unique and defined chemical structure; they consist of a fixed ratio of atoms that are held together...
- International scientific vocabularyInternational Scientific VocabularyInternational scientific vocabulary comprises scientific and specialized words whose language of origin may or may not be certain, but which are in current use in several modern languages. The name "International Scientific Vocabulary" was first used by Philip Gove in Webster’s Third New...
- List of Latin and Greek words commonly used in systematic names
- NameNameA name is a word or term used for identification. Names can identify a class or category of things, or a single thing, either uniquely, or within a given context. A personal name identifies a specific unique and identifiable individual person, and may or may not include a middle name...
- NamespaceNamespaceIn general, a namespace is a container that provides context for the identifiers it holds, and allows the disambiguation of homonym identifiers residing in different namespaces....
- Naming schemeNaming schemeA naming scheme is a plan for naming objects. In computing, naming schemes are often used for objects connected into computer networks.-Naming schemes in computing:Large networks often use a systematic naming scheme, such as using a location A naming scheme is a plan for naming objects. In...
- Numbering schemeNumbering schemeThere are many different numbering schemes for assigning nominal numbers to entities. These generally require an agreed set of rules, or a central coordinator. The schemes can be considered to be examples of a primary key of a database management system table, whose table definitions require a...
- Retained nameRetained nameIn chemistry, a retained name is a name for a chemical compound that is recommended for use by a system of chemical nomenclature , but that is not fully systematic....