10 Questions
What does the hiker observe about the leaves in terms of bundles?
They grow in bundles of three
Why does the hiker select option 3a in the dichotomous key?
The leaves appear dull and matte
Which option leads the hiker to species identification?
Option 5b
What is the identified species that the hiker encounters on the trail?
Poison oak
What type of leaves does the identified plant have according to the hiker's observations?
Broad and shiny
Which choice in the dichotomous key eliminated all plants with needles?
Option 1b
In the dichotomous key, what does choosing option 1b narrow down the potential species to?
Plants with broad and flat leaves only
Which general observation was made in the first choice of the dichotomous key?
Broad/flat leaves vs. needles
What type of leaves does option 5a refer to in the dichotomous key?
Dull and matte leaves
How did the hiker eliminate a large number of potential species in the very first step of using the dichotomous key?
By narrowing down to broad/flat leaves and eliminating plants with needles
Study Notes
What is a Dichotomous Key?
- A tool used to identify living or non-living entities by guiding users through a series of choices with two options at each step
- The term "dichotomous" means "two branches," as each option chosen leads to two new options
- Similar to flowcharts, dichotomous keys require input of information to direct the identification process
How Does a Dichotomous Key Work?
- A key might look like a table with options and corresponding numbers
- The user selects one of two options based on observations, eliminating the other option
- The selected option directs the user to a new set of options, repeating the process until a single entity is identified
Key Concepts
- Options in a dichotomous key start as general observations and become more specific
- The identified specimen is represented by all the observations that led to its identification
- Users should verify their answer by ensuring all selected options accurately describe the identified specimen
Using a Dichotomous Key: Example
- A hiker uses a dichotomous key to identify a plant on a hiking trail
- The key guides the user through a series of questions, narrowing down options until the plant is identified as poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum)
Test your knowledge about the dichotomous key, a valuable tool used to identify living or non-living entities through a series of choices. Explore the different types of dichotomous keys and how they are utilized in various fields of science.
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