Free Printable Dichotomous Keys and Classification

Worksheets

Dichotomous Keys and Classification

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 22mins

Name

Class

Date

The scientific name for an organism is made from the:

class and family name

genus and species name

domain and kingdom name

kingdom and phylum name

Tool used by a taxonomist to identify an unknown organism is a:

dichotomous key

binomial nmenclature

scientific name

binomial key

A dichotomous key for trees is provided. Hikers found a tree that has large brown cones and single sharp needles. What species of tree have the hikers found?

Juniper

Pine

Spruce

Fir

What is the name of bird W?

Certhidea

Geospiza

Camarhynchus

Platyspiza

When using a dichotomous key to identify organisms, what do we look at?

physical features

weather patterns

environment

diet

A dichotomous key for insects is given. To what order does an insect with two pairs of scaly wings belong?

Coleoptera

Heteroptera

Diptera

Lepidoptera

A botanist discovers a new plant in the jungle. Which of the
following observations of the plant’s characteristics would be useful in determining its identity with a dichotomous key?

It was discovered in the summertime

It is wet from a recent rain storm.

Its leaves curl up on the edges.

It is eaten by native jungle ants.

Why do we use scientific names to name organisms instead of relying on common names?

Because common names vary regionally

Because everyone understands and speaks Latin

To make scientists sound smart

Because they are the most descriptive

What term refers to the two part naming system used in traditional classification?

binomial nomenclature

systematics

cladistic analysis

taxonomy

10.

Which of the following shows taxonomic groups in order from broadest to most specific?

kingdom, phylum,order, class, genus, species

species, genus, family, order, class, phylum, kingdom

kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species

phylum, kingdom, order, class, genus, family, species

11.

If I found an organism that was multicellular, heterotrophic, with a cell wall made of chitin, what kingdom would I place it in?

eubacteria

plantae

animalia

fungi

12.

Using this dichotomous key, identify the name of the circled Fish, J.

peacock flounder

band-tail puffer

trumpet fish

spotted goat fish

13.

The largest grouping of organisms is ____________________ and the smallest is _________________________________.

Domain, species

Domain, kingdom

Species, domain

Kingdom, species

14.

In the scientific naming system, __________________ is capitalized and __________________ is written in lower case.

genus, species

species, genus

15.

What is a dichotomous key?

A tool for classifying organisms based on their physical traits

A map for finding animal habitats

A key that opens a scientist's laboratory

16.

Which of these categories would likely NOT appear on a dichotomous key?

Has fur/does not have fur

Has wings/has no wings

Carnivore/herbivore/omnivore

Is mean/is nice

17.

Which of the following is the best definition of "classification"?

The practice of grouping animals randomly and studying their characteristics

The practice of grouping animals based on their characteristics

The practice of studying animals in their natural habitats

The practice of studying animals under a microscope

18.

What is the purpose of a dichotomous key?

to find a common ancestor

to show the evolution of organisms

to show relationships between organisms

to identify organisms

19.

What should you do when typing a scientific name?

Capitalize the first word

Capitalize the first word and underline the whole thing

Capitalize the first word and italicize the whole thing

Nothing

20.

What is the name of bird Z?