Dichotomous Key Explorer
Explore how to use dichotomous keys to identify different organisms based on their characteristics.
Includes
Standards
Topics
Dichotomous Key Explorer
Name:
Date:
Score:
Follow the instructions for each section to learn about and use dichotomous keys.
What is a Dichotomous Key?
A dichotomous key is a tool that helps us identify different things, like plants or animals. It gives you two choices at each step. You pick the choice that best describes what you are looking at, and it tells you where to go next until you find the name of what you are identifying.
1. A dichotomous key helps us to different things.
2. At each step, a dichotomous key gives you choices.
3. You pick the choice that best the thing you are looking at.
4. What does 'dichotomous' mean?
Many choices
Two choices
One choice
No choices
5. You only need one step to identify something with a dichotomous key.
True
False
Use the dichotomous key below to identify the animals.
Dichotomous Key for Simple Animals
1. Has wings ....................................................................... go to 2 Does not have wings ..................................................... go to 3
2. Has feathers .................................................................... Bird Does not have feathers .................................................. Butterfly
3. Has 4 legs ...................................................................... Dog Has no legs ................................................................... Snake
6. An animal that has wings and feathers:
7. An animal that does not have wings and has no legs:
8. An animal that has wings but no feathers: