LIFE SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -When creating your dichotomous key, you need to start with the most general characteristics first, before moving to the more specific ones. So it helps to have identified the more obvious and less obvious contrasting characteristics among the specimen before creating your dichotomous key.

Detailed explanation-2: -Basic Rules for Constructing Dichotomous Keys All parts of the key should be dichotomous. Never use trichotomies. Always give contrasting, alternative characteristics in each couplet.

Detailed explanation-3: -Keys consist of a series of choices that lead the user to the correct name of a given item. “Dichotomous” means “divided into two parts.” That is why dichotomous keys always give two choices in each step. In each step, the user is presented with two statements based on characteristics of the organism.

Detailed explanation-4: -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.