EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -A dichotomous key is an important scientific tool, used to identify different organisms, based the organism’s observable traits. Dichotomous keys consist of a series of statements with two choices in each step that will lead users to the correct identification.

Detailed explanation-2: -To classify organisms, scientists will often use a biological key or a dichotomous key. A dichotomous key is a listing of specific traits, primarily structural, that allows an organism to be sorted into one of two categories. Some biological keys give more than two choices for each branching point.

Detailed explanation-3: -“Dichotomous” means, “divided into two parts.” A dichotomous key always gives two choices in each step. In each step, you must make a decision based on characteristics of the item. If you decide correctly every time, the name of the item will be revealed at the end.

Detailed explanation-4: -The Dichotomous Key is a tool that scientists use to determine the classification of living things in the natural world-from trees to animals to fungus.

Detailed explanation-5: -To use the key, the scientist starts at the top, or beginning, and sees which of the two options apply to their organism. Based on their answer, the key directs them to a new question. They continue in this way until reaching an endpoint, the name of an organism.