Key learning points

1. A classification key is a series of yes/no questions about the observable characteristics of living things.
2. Knowing the structure of an animal is useful when using classification keys.
3. Zoologists discover, identify and study animals in the local and wider environment.
4. Scientists, including zoologists and naturalists, use classification keys to identify and group animals.

Keywords

• Classification key - Classification keys are diagrams which help us identify objects using yes/no questions.

• Identify - To identify something is to be able to name it correctly.

• Observable characteristics - An observable characteristic is a feature or property of something that we can see or use our other senses to observe.

• Structure - The parts of an animal’s body are called its structure.

• Zoologist - A zoologist is a type of scientist that studies animals.

Common misconception