KEYS
 A key is used to identify an organism.
A key consists of pairs (or small groups) of statements
In each pair or group of statements only one of those statements will be true

When using a key follow these rules:

  1. Always start at clue number 1. This will have 2 or more statements in it.
  2. Look for the correct statement . This may give you the name of the organism. 
    If it doesn't you must go to the clue it directs you to.
  3. Repeat rule 2 until you have the name of the organism you are trying to identify.
example key which identifies different animal groups
1.How many legs does it have?
     no legs.................................................................Goto 2
     two legs................................................................Goto 3 
     four legs...............................................................Goto 4
     six legs ...............................................................Goto 8
     eight legs..............................................................Spider  (arachnid)
     more than eight, less than twenty legs .................................Crustacean
     more than twenty........................................................Goto 5

2. Body divided into segments................................................Goto 6
    No segments. Smooth, often slimly skin (mollusc).........................Goto 7

3. Is it warm blooded and has feathers .......................................Bird
    Smooth skin with some hair Mammal........................................(human)

4. Is warm-blooded, has fur or hair..........................................Mammal
   Has a dry, scaly skin. Breaths using lungs ...............................Reptile
   Has moist, smooth skin. Often lives near water ...........................Amphibian
   Has a wet, scaly skin. lives in water. Breaths using gills ...............Fish

5. Has one pair of legs on each segment......................................Centipede
    Has two pairs of legs on each segment .................................Millipede

6. Pinkish brown. Slender body. Body has small bristles on each segment......Earthworm
    Small squat body, (1 to 3 cm), pale yellow in colour. No proper legs.....Insect larva

7. No shell. ................................................................Slug
    Body protected by a hard shell ..........................................Snail

8. Body divided into 3 parts, often has 2 pairs of wings.....................Insect
    1 to 3 cm long, soft, cylindrical body ..................................Insect larva