Identifying an Organism Yourself: Homework

Use a new key to name animals under a board, and spot where a key goes wrong.

Doing it on screen?Tap or click a box and type your answer. When you’re done, press Check My Answers at the bottom of the sheet.

Part A — Key Words / 4

Type the word that fits each clue.

1.
The everyday name for a living thing changes from town to town. What kind of name is it?Answer
2.
The two-word name, genus then species, belongs to only one kind of organism. What is it?Answer
3.
A book scientists use to identify living things, often with a key inside, is called what?Answer
4.
A numbered list of pairs, each with exactly two choices, leads you to a name. What is it called?Answer

Short answers. Think about why.

1.
Dichotomous means divided into how many parts?Answer
2.
Where do you always begin in a key?Answer
3.
A key to beetles can't name a robin. Why not?Answer
4.
A starfish is not a fish and a prairie dog is not a dog. What do those show about common names?Answer
5.
How can you test a key you built?Answer

Follow a brand-new key.

Answer each one in one sentence. You mark these yourself against the key.

1.
Write the first pair of a key that splits your family or your class into two groups.Answer
2.
Why does a scientific name help you find what's known about an organism?Answer

Done? Check your answers.

Wrong ones turn red, so you can fix them and check again. Your answers save as you type, and your score goes on the lesson page.

Total / 16

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Notes

Part A — the answers.

Part B — the answers.

Part C — the answers.

a. The garden spider. b. At 1a, the earthworm. c. It ends in a name. d. Lumbricus. e. Pair 1, and its choice 1b.

Part D — what a good answer includes.

Answers vary. A good answer is two statements, labeled 1a and 1b, about one trait that divides the group cleanly, each pointing to a name or to pair 2.
Answers vary. A good answer says it belongs to only one kind of organism, so the same name always points to the same animal, and scientists can file and look up what is known about it.