Suppose you wanted to create a dichotomous key to identify yourself within your class. What are two questions that the dichotomous key might ask?
Suppose you wanted to create a dichotomous key to identify yourself within your class. What are two questions that the dichotomous key might ask?
A dichotomous key is a tool created by scientists to help scientists and laypeople identify objects and organisms.
Typically, a dichotomous key for identifying a particular type of object consists of a specific series of questions. When one question is answered, the key directs the user as to what question to ask next.
Dichotomous keys typically stress identifying species by their scientific name, as each individual species has a unique scientific name.
For example, in tree identification, a dichotomous key might ask whether the tree has leaves or needles. The key then directs the user down one list of questions if the tree has leaves, and a different question list if it has needles.
Dichotomous keys are very useful because they allow non-expert users to identify organisms by directing them to look at the known, important organisms. Many people might not know how to distinguish different species of pine trees based on the arrangement of needles on a branch, for example, but the key would be able to ask them that question and give them useful information based on the result.
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