High School

Question 1: What is the purpose of a dichotomous key? (Select all that apply.)

A. To find a common ancestor
B. To identify organisms
C. To show the evolution of organisms
D. To show evolutionary relationships between organisms

Question 2: What step do we always start with when using dichotomous keys?

Answer :

Final answer:

A dichotomous key is used mainly to identify organisms based on specific characteristics, rather than showing evolutionary relationships or common ancestors. When using a key, you always begin with a question about the organism's traits to guide the identification process.


Explanation:

Purpose of a Dichotomous Key

A dichotomous key is a tool that helps in the identification of organisms. Its main purposes include:

  1. To identify organisms based on their physical characteristics.
  2. To assist in sorting and categorizing different species systematically.

However, a dichotomous key does not serve to find a common ancestor, show the evolution of organisms, or illustrate evolutionary relationships. Instead, it focuses on distinguishing between species at the time of identification.

Starting with a Dichotomous Key

When using a dichotomous key, we always start with a question about the organism's characteristics. This first step helps narrow down the possible options, guiding the user through the identification process.


Learn more about dichotomous key here:

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