Name: ______________________________
Science Period: ________
Date: _________
Dr. Bernstein
Classification and constructing a dichotomous key
Purpose:
You have learned how to use various methods to classify
and sort organisms. Organisms are grouped by the
similarities in their observable characteristics. In previous
activities you have used prepared dichotomous keys to
identify dinosaurs and sharks by their observable traits.
You are now ready to take the next step and create your
own dichotomous key.
You and your lab team (groups of 4) are scientists who
have been hired by the Kingdom of Pasta. You have been
asked to develop a classification system to help identify all
the different kinds of “pasta” organisms living in the
kingdom.
You must fashion a suitable scientific name for each of the
different pasta groups you observe and create a
dichotomous classification key so the residents of the
Kingdom of Pasta will be able to identify any “pasta”
organisms that they discover after you have left.
Materials: Plastic bag containing one member of each kind of “pasta”
organism that has been discovered to live within the Pasta
Kingdom (6 types – see identification worksheet, pg 3).
1
Procedures:
1. Sort your “pasta” organisms into groups by their
observable characteristics. First sort your groups by their
most common similarities, to break your large population
into smaller, more closely related groupings. Although
these new groups share many of the same characteristics,
your next task is to break these similar groups down into
smaller groups by the small differences between groups.
Keep doing this until each pasta organism is individually
identified by its own unique characteristics.
2. Give each individual its own scientific name. Try to make
the name descriptive of the individual’s characteristics and
make it Latin sounding for fun.
3. Prepare a written dichotomous key to show the steps you
have used in the “classify the Pasta organisms”. Construct
your key so that someone else, not in your group, can
identify the pasta individuals that live within the Pasta
Kingdom.
4. Do all your work on the worksheets provided (pgs 3 -4).
Do not use the Official Pasta Classification Key Sheet and
Naming Sheet until the end.
5. Test your key by having another team try it, while you try
their key. Your key must include at least 5 statements.
6. Be sure to test your key to make sure that it works for all
of the organisms.
7. Each team is to hand in one neat and error free copy of
their “Official Pasta Report Sheet” and “Inhabitants of the
Pasta Kingdom” (pgs 5-6) for evaluation, at the end of the
activity. Only one classification key and naming sheet per
team is to be submitted. Make sure the name of each
member of your team is on the sheet before you turn it in
for a grade.
2
NAMES OF THE INHABITANTS OF THE PASTA KINGDOM
(worksheet)
(not to scale)
I
II
III
______________
______________
______________
IV
V
VI
______________
______________
______________
3
PASTA CLASSIFICATION KEY (worksheet)
1.
A. _____________________________________________
B. _____________________________________________
2.
A. _____________________________________________
B. _____________________________________________
3.
A. _____________________________________________
B. _____________________________________________
4.
A. _____________________________________________
B. _____________________________________________
5.
A. _____________________________________________
B. _____________________________________________
4
Submitted by:
Date: ___________
1.
_______________________
2.
_______________________
3.
_______________________
4.
_______________________
1. A. ____________________________________________
B. ____________________________________________
2. A. ____________________________________________
B. ____________________________________________
3. A. ____________________________________________
B. ____________________________________________
4. A. ____________________________________________
B. ____________________________________________
5. A. ____________________________________________
B. ____________________________________________
5
(NOT TO SCALE)
I
II
III
______________
______________
______________
IV
V
VI
______________
______________
______________
6