6.3: Optional Class Exercise

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Divide into two groups, each containing 8 students. Fill out the characteristics of the individuals in your group in the provided table. You can start with the characteristics listed in the table, but you may have to use different or additional characteristics for a complete identification (e.g., if all of the members of your group have brown hair, then hair color cannot be used as an identifier).

Using the information in your table, design (draw) a dichotomous key (a branch diagram) that can be used to identify the members of your group. Each person in the group should have a copy of the key. Design the key so that each choice has only 2 alternatives. For example, if members of your group range in height from 5’4” to 6’ 2”, your key could include two branch points: < 6’ tall and > 6’tall.

Once each of you have completed a dichotomous key for your group, exchange keys with an individual from the other group. Using the key, try to determine their name without speaking to them (unless you need to ask their height or their shoe size). Ask that individual if your identification is correct. If not, review the key to see if you made a mistake, or if there was a point where the key was misleading.

Student Characteristics

Student Name	Gender	Height	Eye color	Hair color	Shoe size	Additional characteristics

Construct Classmate Dichotomous Key Below

SAMPLE DICHOTOMOUS KEY DATA FOR CLASSMATE IDENTIFICATION

Name	Gender	Hair color	Eye color	Age	Shoe Size
Jim	M	Blonde	Grey	19	10
Tom	M	Brown	Green	55	9
George	M	Blonde	Brown	23	11
Fred	M	Black	Blue	35	12
Dan	M	Brown	Brown	22	10
Martha	F	Black	Brown	43	7
Amy	F	Brown	Brown	32	7
Connie	F	Brown	Brown	21	6
Carol	F	Blonde	Brown	23	8
Fran	F	Red	Blue	23	6

Construct Sample Dichotomous Key Below