Name: ...................................................................

Period:...................................................................
Date:......................................................................
Lab: 3
Topic: Classification
Aim: To determine the relationship of organisms by classification using a dichotomous key.
PI
K

Objective
To use the dichotomous key
to identify and classify
specimen

Rubric
4 Mastered: Students can both design and use the dichotomous key to
identify specimen with 100% accuracy
3 Proficient: Students can both design and use the dichotomous key to
identify specimen with a 1 or 2 errors
2 Developing : Students cannot design but use the dichotomous key to
identify specimen with 100% accuracy
1 Beginning : Students cannot design but use the dichotomous key to
identify specimen with a few errors
0 No Basis : Students cannot design or use the dichotomous key.

Introduction: A dichotomous key is a tool that allows the user to determine the identity of items in the natural
world, such as trees, wildflowers, mammals, reptiles, rocks, and fish. 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". Therefore, dichotomous
keys always give two choices in each step.
(1) Using a microscope view the organisms below in, low, medium and high power. Pay attention to the different
shapes of each microorganisms. Draw each unknown microorganism.
(2) Using the dichotomous key provided below figure out the names of each of the organisms.
Organisms

(a)

(b)

(d)

(e)

Using the Dichotomous key below identify the names of each of the organisms above.
(1) Organism is shaped like a slipper...............................................................Paramecium
(2) Organisms is not shaped like a slipper.......................................................go to 3
(3) Organism is green and made up branches.................................................Spirogyra
(4) Organisms is not green and made up of branches......................................go to 5
(5) Organisms is unicellular and made up or irregular shapes......................Amoeba
(6) Organisms is unicellular and is made up of a specific shape...................go to 7
(7) Organisms is made up of made up of circular shapes.................................Yeast
(8) Organisms is made up of many different shapes.......................................Diatoms
(4) Write the name of each organisms after completing the dichotomous key above.

(c)

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(5) After you figure out each organism research the scientific name of each organism. Ensure you have the genus
and a specie name. For some organisms there are many species you can just choose anyone.
Organisms A:
Organism B:
Organism C:
Organisms D:
Organism E: