Dichotomous Key

A dichotomous key is used to identify organisms based off of characteristics. To use a dichotomous key, you start with the first question that has two choices to pick from. After you observe your organisms and answer the first question, then go to the right and look at the number it’ll tell you to go to. Keep answering the questions it leads you too, and eventually you’ll reach the answer. It will give you the name of your organism if you follow the questions exactly on what the organism looks like.

            Creating a dichotomous key can be difficult. We had to create one of algae in class. The first thing I did was branch them into two groups. After that, I thought of different aspects of that algae and how it differentiates from the others. Eventually I narrowed it down and finished bracketing them. Then, I wrote it out in questions for my dichotomous key and it worked. At first it was hard to differentiate them, but I used my notes and ended up succeeding. They all have a unique characteristic, but it’s hard to put it on paper to lead to one choice. However, with the help of my partner we finished it and solved all the problems faced. It was cool to make this key and see how it works.