Topic 1

Dichotomous keys
LO To use and produce keys for classification
DO NOW: Can you work out which creature is which?
Homework: Read over notes and add your own to cover
syllabus point 1.3

Divide the dogs into two groups

Group A

Group B

We divide the dogs into groups by asking a question to

which there is a yes or no answer...
Is the dog large (above 65cm)?

Large Dogs

Small Dogs

We can now divide each group down into further sub

divisions...

What question could be used to divide the large dogs down

into further groups?

Does the dog have a brown and black coat?

No

white and grey coats

Yes

brown and black coats

Finally the groups can be divided down into individual dogs to

which we can then give the names.
What question has been used to separate these two dogs?

Does the dog have curly hair?

yes

Airedale Terrier

no

Rotweiller

By asking questions that divide the dogs we can produce a key.

To save space biologists list the questions and give
instructions at the end as to which question to go to next.
1. Is the dog over 65cm tall?
If yes go to question 2
If no go to question 5
2. Does the dog have a brown and black coat?
If yes go to question 3
If no go to question 4
3. Does the dog have a wooly coat?
Yes Airedale Terrier
NoRotweiller

Small Paper
Clip

Large Paper
Clip

Sharpened
Pencil

Paper
Fastener

Ruler

Pen Lid

Splint

Scissors
Unsharpened
Pencil Eraser
Calculator

Time to Check

Itsy Bitsy

Scratchy
Super Duper

Clipper

Wadget

Widget

Thingy

Screecher

Scritchy
Oopsey
Gadget

Your turn. Create your own key