CHAPTER 5.

3
C L A S S I F I C AT I O N K E Y S A R E V I S U A L T O O L S
CLASSIFICATION KEYS ARE VISUAL TOOLS
WE CALL THIS A…. Dye – cot – o – muss

DICHOTOMOUS KEY

It is a branched key It is always based

A Dichotomous key is a that always splits on things you can
tool used to classify into two, based on see, not internal
organisms. yes or no questions. characteristics.
USING DICHOTOMOUS KEYS
Scientists use this type of key to make simple yes or no decisions at each branch.

Does the animal have fur?

yes no

Is the animal a carnivore?

The questions
continue until each
animal is classified
/ distinguished
from each other
Bear Dog
 NAME
THESE
BEETLES
TABULAR
KEYS:
CAN YOU
NAME
THESE
L E AV E S ?
 TASK
Check your learning 5.3 –
Page 85

Complete:
Question 2
Question 4
Question 5

Write in FULL sentences