Dichotomous Key Practice
This worksheet helps 6th-grade students understand and use dichotomous keys to identify organisms based on their characteristics.
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Dichotomous Key Practice
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Read each question carefully and use the provided dichotomous key to identify the organisms.
What is a Dichotomous Key?
A dichotomous key is a tool that allows users to identify organisms in the natural world. Dichotomous means 'divided into two parts.' Therefore, a dichotomous key always presents two choices in each step that describe characteristics of the organism.
1. A dichotomous key is a tool used to organisms.
2. The word 'dichotomous' means divided into parts.
3. Each step in a dichotomous key presents choices.
Use the following dichotomous key to identify the creatures below.
Dichotomous Key for Imaginary Creatures:
1a. Has wings ..................................................................... Go to 2
1b. Does not have wings ................................................. Go to 3
2a. Has antennae .......................................................... Flier
2b. Does not have antennae ........................................... Glider
3a. Has more than 4 legs ................................................ Crawler
3b. Has 4 legs or less ..................................................... Leaper
1. A creature with wings and antennae would be a .
2. A creature with no wings and 6 legs would be a .
3. A creature with wings and no antennae would be a .
4. A creature with no wings and 4 legs would be a .
1. A dichotomous key always has more than two choices at each step.
True
False