Biological Keys Identifying the unknown

Separate this lab equipment into two groups using their physical properties. GogglesTest tube holder Bunsen burnerBeaker

Biological keys

Separate these plants into two groups

Biological keys

Biological Keys HorseCrab Fish Worm

Biological Keys – branch diagrams Animals Has legs Has 4 legs or less Horse Has more than 4 legs crab Has no legs Has fins Fish Has no fins worm

Branching keys using information from a table PupilHair ColourFrecklesGlasses JohnBlackYes AlanBlackNoYes DavidBrownNo PeterBlackYesNo

Biological keys Pupils Wears glasses Has freckles John No Freckles Alan No glasses Brown hair David Doesn’t have brown hair Peter

Identifying the unknown A = Toothed wrackB = Bladder wrackC = Egg wrackD = Flat wrack

A = Clam B = Periwinkle C = Tower shell D = Razor shell

Organisms Legs/no legs Shell/no shell Feelers/no feelers Varies in width/same width Line down body/no line down body Saddle/ no saddle

Organisms key Organisms No legs Has feelers Has a saddle A Has no saddle E Has no feelers Body same width Has a centre line C Has no centre line F Body varied width D Has legs B

Leaves Leaflets(A,B&F)/no leaflets Leaflets fan shaped (B)/not fan shaped 4 pairs of leaflets (F)/more than 4 pairs of leaflets (A) Smooth edge (D)/ no smooth edge Lobes (C)/ no lobes Serrated edge (E &H)/ no serrated edge

Leaves key Leaves Has leaflets Paired leaflets 4 leaflet pairs F More than 4 leaflet pairs A No paired leaflets B Has no leaflets Has lobes Has rounded lobes C Has pointed lobes E Has no lobes Has smooth edge D No smooth edge Has serrated edge H Has no serrated edge G

Paired Statement Keys Paired statement keys work in the same way as branching keys. At each stage you are given a choice. Make the appropriate choice and go to where you are asked to go. Again, if the organism is present, you should end up with a name for it.

Paired Statement Key 1.Single leafgo to 2 Several leafletsgo to 6 2.Leaf with pricklesHOLLY Leaf with no pricklesgo to 3 6.Leaflets in fan shapeHORSE CHESTNUT Leaflets in pairsgo to 7 3.Leaf edge with lobesgo to 4 Leaf edge with no lobesgo to 5 4.Lobes sharp pointedSYCAMORE Lobes roundedOAK 5.Leaf with smooth edgeBEECH Leaf with serrated edgeELM 7.Leaf edge serratedROWAN Leaf edge plainASH

Keys The paired statement key is more manageable as it tends not to spread itself out as much. The branching key is more pictorial and usually easier to use. Try building your own keys for the following organisms. (Branching and Paired Statement!)

TulipCockleSycamoreDandelion GiraffeGold finchMackerelSeaweed SpiderSea UrchinVenus Fly TrapCockatoo