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POTATO CHIP TAXONOMY

INSTRUCTION SHEET- DO NOT WRITE ON!!


Activity Overview:
Alice Eastwood was famous for her ability to collect and identify a wide variety of plants. Scientists
accomplish this through the study of classification called taxonomy. Taxonomists devise tools called
taxonomic keys which provide a step-by-step method of identifying organisms based on physical
characteristics. Dichotomous taxonomic keys employ two choices for a characteristic at each step in the
classifying process. As you follow this step-by-step process, making choices at each step that place the
organism you are attempting to identify into one category or the other, you eventually end up with the name
of the organism you sought to identify.
Objective:
1. Create a taxonomic key of 8 different types of chips
2. Answer analysis questions about classification.
3. Create a phylogenetic tree/ cladogram of your chip classification.
4. Create a dichotomous key from your taxonomic key.
Directions:
1. Remove your chips from the bag and give each chip a creative scientific name that does not give
away its identity (e.g. Rufflus barbequeis would not be an acceptable name). Record the name
you gave each chip in the correct space on the back of the blank taxonomic key template you
have been provided.
2. Separate the potato chips into two groups of four chips each based on one observable
characteristic (for example, ruffled and not ruffled or what the chips are made from). Record the
characteristic choice you used to separate the chips into the first two groups in the spaces
provided on the taxonomic key template.
3. Take the left group of chips and divide them into two more groups of two chips each based on
another characteristic (for example, the ruffled chips might be separated by color such as red and
brown). Do the same with the right group of chips. Smell, taste, size, shape, and anything else
you can think of are all fair game for characteristics to use. Record the characteristics you used
to separate these two groups in the second tier of the taxonomic key.
4. Divide the groups again so that you have four groups of two chips each and record the
characteristics you used to distinguish them from the group they were with in the tier above. In
the last row of boxes list one characteristic for each chip that distinguishes it from the chip it was
grouped with above.
5. Record the scientific name you gave the chip under the box that identifies it.
6. Complete the analysis questions on the back of your key.
7. On a SEPARATE piece of notebook paper, complete the following two additional assignments:
a. Create a phylogenetic tree/ cladogram of your chips.
b. Create a dichotomous key of your chips.
8. Give your dichotomous key to a classmate along with one of your chips to see if they can
correctly identify it by using your key.
9. Replace your chips in the zip lock bag. Do not eat the chips unless youve been given specific
instructions to do so by Ms. Hamman.
10. Staple your phylogenetic tree and dichotomous key paper to the back your taxonomic key and
analysis questions and turn them into the basket.

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