examplekeyreviewquizanswerkey

Here are the answers to the example key review quiz. Each answer is briefly explained.


 * 1. The first step of the example key was whether or not the fruit had an edible skin. Is that the only possible characteristic to use for the first step?**

No. As was mentioned in the videos, there are many other characteristics that can be used as a way to make the first division (grow on a tree, grow in bunches, etc.).


 * 2. Bananas and grapes both grow in bunches, but the key only mentions grapes as growing in bunches. Why is that?**

The reason that grapes are the only one mentioned at the end of statement 2A (grow in bunches) is because of the previous set of statements. At step one, fruits with an edible skin (grapes) go to step two while fruits with an inedible skin (bananas) go to step 3. If you are using the key correctly and accurately, you will not ask yourself whether or not bananas grow in bunches because bananas will not make it to step 2.


 * 3. Would "has seeds on the outside" be a good first characteristic to use? Click yes or no and the correct reason why.**

No, this would not be a good first characteristic because it results in an answer in the first step. Remember, you want to divide the objects into two roughly equal groups; this means that you should not have an answer/name in the first step.


 * 4. How many steps should a dichotomous key have if there are 5 items?**

4 - if your key is set up correctly, then there is always one fewer steps then there are objects.


 * 5. Can an object be used as an answer more than once in a dichotomous key? For example, could "grapes" be the correct answer twice?**

No, any object can only be used once. Once an object has been "keyed out" then you no longer include it in your key; it has been named and solved.

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