Pasta Classification Lab
Objective: Classify 6 types of pasta and use the similarities that each have to create a
branching diagram.
Vocabulary:
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Branching diagram: classification of organisms based on shared derived characteristics
Parsimony: the scientific concept that the simplest explanation is often the correct one
Shared derived traits: characteristics that 2 or more kinds of organisms share with their most recent
common ancestor
1. Pre-lab Question: Does classification focus on the similarities or differences between
organisms? Explain.
2. Hypothesis:
a. The most similar pasta types are _________ and __________ because…
b. The most different pasta types are________ and __________ because…
3. Pasta Names Key: (copy into ISN and draw the pasta in):
Penne
Linguine
Macaroni
Lasagna
Colored Penne
Rotini
4. Pasta Characteristics: Copy the following table into your ISN. Write an “X” in the boxes of
the traits that each type of pasta has.
Trait
Penne Linguine Macaroni Lasagna Colored Rotini
Penne
Dried pasta
Shaped like a tube
Fresh, not dried
Grooved with lines
Less than 1 inch wide
Colored
Less than 6 inches long
TOTAL “X”s
5. Branching diagram: Trace the following diagram into your ISN. Write the Pasta types along
the top “branches” and the traits along the “trunk” of the tree.
Write the Pasta types on
the branches
Write the traits
along these notches
Check Yourself! (Must include answers in ISN)
a)
b)
c)
d)
Are all the pasta types written at the top? _____________
Are all the traits written along the “trunk?”____________
Is the pasta on the far right the one with the most # of X’s? ____
Is the pasta on the far left the one with the least # of X’s? ______
Conclusions
6. Revisiting hypothesis:
a. The most similar pasta types are _________ and __________ because…
b. The most different pasta types are________ and __________ because…
c. Explain whether your hypothesis was supported (you guessed correctly) or not supported.
7. Read the definition of a “shared derived trait” on the front of this page.
a. Write the definition in your own words.
b. Do all of the pasta types have any shared derived traits? List them.
c. What shared derived traits do the Penne and Colored Penne have?