**Specific epithet represents (B) second word in the scientific name of a species**

The scientific name of a species consists of two words, the genus name and the specific epithet. The specific epithet represents the second word in the scientific name of a species.

**Scientific Name**

The scientific name of a species is a formal way of naming and classifying organisms. It follows the binomial nomenclature system developed by Carl Linnaeus. The scientific name is composed of two parts: the genus name and the specific epithet.

**Genus Name**

The genus name represents the first word in the scientific name of a species. It is a broader taxonomic category that groups closely related species together. For example, in the scientific name Homo sapiens, "Homo" represents the genus name.

**Specific Epithet**

The specific epithet represents the second word in the scientific name of a species. It is specific to a particular species within a genus and helps to differentiate it from other species in the same genus. For example, in the scientific name Homo sapiens, "sapiens" represents the specific epithet.

**Name of the Author**

The name of the author, also known as the authority, is not part of the specific epithet. It is the name of the person or persons who first described and named the species. The authority is usually included in parentheses after the scientific name. For example, in the scientific name Homo sapiens (Linnaeus, 1758), "Linnaeus" is the name of the author.

**Latin Origin**

The specific epithet, like the genus name, is often derived from Latin or Greek words. It may describe a characteristic of the species, its habitat, or honor a person. The use of Latin in scientific names provides a standardized and internationally recognized system for naming and classifying organisms.

In conclusion, the specific epithet represents the second word in the scientific name of a species. It is specific to a particular species within a genus and helps to differentiate it from other species. The specific epithet, along with the genus name, forms the unique scientific name for each species, providing a universal language for scientists to communicate and study biodiversity.

B option