2. Dichotomous Keys

3. Characteristics of Keys “Numbered” on left Each number has an “a” and ‘b” associated with it Each “a” and “b” statement for one number are opposing statements about some observable characteristic of the organisms (usually not behavioral) “Go to” directions or the identified “species name” to the rignt There are always one fewer numbers on the left than there are species to identify

4. General Organism Characteristics 1. Number of Cells –Unicellular or Multicellular 2. Whether they have a cell nucleus –Prokaryotes – without nucleus –Eukaryote – with a nucleus 3. Manner of acquiring energy –Autotroph – self feeder –Heterotroph – feed off others 4. Whether cell walls are present or not

5. 5 Kingdom Dichotomous Key 1A. Organism is composed of one cell (unicellular) Go to 2 B. Organism is composed of more than one cell (multicellular) Go to 3 2 3 4

6. 5 Kingdom Dichotomous Key 1A. Organism is composed of one cell (unicellular) Go to 2 B. Organism is composed of more than one cell (multicellular) Go to 3 2A. Organism has a cell lacking a nucleus (prokaryote) K. Monera B. Organism has a cell with a nucleus (eukaryote) K. Protista 3 4

7. 5 Kingdom Dichotomous Key 1A. Organism is composed of one cell (unicellular) Go to 2 B. Organism is composed of more than one cell (multicellular) Go to 3 2A. Organism has a cell lacking a nucleus (prokaryote) K. Monera B. Organism has a cell with a nucleus (eukaryote) K. Protista 3A. Organism produces it own food (autotroph) K. Plantae B. Organism has to acquire it food (heterotroph) Go to 4 4

8. 5 Kingdom Dichotomous Key 1A. Organism is composed of one cell (unicellular) Go to 2 B. Organism is composed of more than one cell (multicellular) Go to 3 2A. Organism has a cell lacking a nucleus (prokaryote) K. Monera B. Organism has a cell with a nucleus (eukaryote) K. Protista 3A. Organism produces it own food (autotroph) K. Plantae B. Organism has to acquire it food (heterotroph) Go to 4 4A. Organism’s cells are surrounded by cell walls K. Fungi B. Organism’s cells are not surrounded by cell walls K. Animalia