BIOLOGY
CLASSIFICATION:
DICHOTOMOUS
KEYS QUIZ
★ ANSWER KEY - FOR
INSTRUCTOR USE
ONLY ★
Generated on October 12, 2025
30 Questions • Medium Level • Factual
Recall
1. Which biological
process is defined
by the production
of new organisms?
A. Reproduction
B. Growth
C. Excretion
D. Sensitivity
2. Which
characteristic
refers to the ability
to detect changes
in the internal or
external
environment and
respond to
stimuli?
A. Sensitivity
B. Movement
C. Growth
D. Reproduction
3. What is the
primary basis for
classifying
organisms using
traditional
classification
systems?
A. shared
morphological
and genetic
traits
B. evolutionary history
only
C. geographic location
D. size
4. Which of the
following best
describes the
process of
respiration in
living organisms?
A. Respiration is
the chemical
process in cells
where nutrient
molecules are
broken down to
release energy
for metabolism.
B. Nutrition is the
process by which
organisms take in and
use food substances.
C. Respiration is the
process by which
organisms produce
carbon dioxide and
water as waste
products.
D. Excretion involves
breaking down large
molecules into smaller
ones for energy
release.
5. Which of the
following options
correctly
represents the
acronym MRS
GREN for the
characteristics of
living organisms?
A. Metabolism,
Reproduction,
Sensitivity,
Growth,
Excretion,
Respiration,
Nutrition (MRS
GREN)
B. Respiration,
Reproduction,
Sensitivity, Growth,
Movement, Excretion,
Nutrition (RESGMEN)
C. Movement,
Respiration,
Sensitivity, Growth,
Reproduction,
Excretion, Metabolism
(MRS GREM)
D. Movement,
Respiration,
Sensitivity, Growth,
Reproduction,
Digestion, Excretion
(MRS GRED)
6. Which statement
correctly defines a
genus?
A. a category of
classification
that ranks above
species and
consists of
closely related
species that
cannot
interbreed.
B. a single species.
C. a kingdom.
D. a family.
7. Which statement
best defines a
species?
A. A species is a group of
organisms that look
alike.
B. A species is a group of
organisms that live in
the same habitat.
C. A species is a group of
organisms that share
the same genus.
D. A species is a
group of
organisms that
can interbreed
and produce
fertile offspring.
8. What is the
primary function
of a dichotomous
key in biology?
A. To identify
unfamiliar
organisms
B. To classify organisms
into kingdoms
C. To show evolutionary
relationships
D. To describe organism
habitats
9. Which of the
following is the
standard format
for a binomial
nomenclature
name?
A. Genus species epithet
B. Genus species
C. Genus and species
D. Genus species author
10. In binomial
nomenclature,
for the scientific
name 'Felis
catus', what is the
correct
identification of
the genus and
species?
A. Genus: Felis,
Species: catus
B. Genus: catus, Species:
Felis
C. Genus: Felis, Species:
Felis
D. Genus: felis, Species:
catus
11. Which of the
following best
represents the
primary aim of
modern
classification
systems?
A. Geographic
distribution
B. Physical size
C. Ecological niche
D. Evolutionary
relationships
12. Which of the
following
methods involves
analyzing DNA
sequences for
classification
purposes?
A. Analyzing external
appearance
B. Studying fossil records
C. Observing behavioral
patterns
D. Analyzing DNA
sequences
13. Which of the
following is a key
distinguishing
characteristic of
animals in the
animal kingdom?
A. Animals are
multicellular
organisms.
B. Animals possess a true
nucleus in their cells.
C. Animals have the
ability to respire
(perform cellular
respiration).
D. Animals lack a
cell wall and
chloroplasts.
14. How does a
dichotomous key
guide the
identification of
organisms?
A. by presenting a
series of paired
choices
(alternatives)
based on
observable
features
B. by providing a list of
all possible organisms
C. by describing general
characteristics of the
organism
D. by showing a
phylogenetic tree
15. Which of the
following is the
first step in
making a
dichotomous key?
A. Study the
organisms,
identifying
commonalities
and differences.
B. Immediately write the
final classification for
all organisms.
C. Focus only on the
features of one specific
organism.
D. Create a circular key
that allows
backtracking between
questions.
16. Which of the
following
describes the
typical skin type
of amphibians?
A. Moist skin
B. Dry and scaly
C. Covered in fur
D. Hard exoskeleton
17. Which of the
following is a key
feature of reptiles'
skin?
A. Dry, scaly skin
B. Moist skin with glands
for water retention
C. Presence of feathers
for flight or display
D. Smooth, non-
overlapping scales or
armor-like plates
18. Which of the
following is NOT
a characteristic of
fish?
A. Fish have overlapping
scales
B. Fish use fins for
swimming
C. Fish use filamentous
gills for gas exchange
D. Fish are warm-
blooded
(endothermic)
19. Which feature is
unique to birds
among all
vertebrates?
A. Feathers
B. Warm-bloodedness
C. Presence of wings
D. Laying eggs with hard
shells
20. Which of the
following
features is NOT a
typical
characteristic of
mammals?
A. Being warm-blooded
B. Having hair or fur
C. Four limbs
D. Being cold-
blooded
21. Insects are
characterized by
having a specific
body plan. What
is the typical
number of pairs
of legs an insect
possesses?
A. Four pairs
B. Three pairs
C. Two pairs
D. One pair
22. How many pairs
of antennae do
crustaceans
typically possess?
A. One pair
B. Two pairs
C. Three pairs
D. No antennae
23. How do fungi
typically obtain
their nutrients?
A. They perform
photosynthesis.
B. They ingest solid food
internally.
C. They release
enzymes to
digest food
externally.
D. They absorb water and
dissolved nutrients
from their
environment.
24. Which of the
following is the
typical number of
pairs of legs in
arachnids?
A. Four pairs
B. Three pairs
C. Five pairs
D. Ten pairs
25. What is the
minimum
number of leg
pairs found in
myriapods?
A. Two pairs of legs
B. Four pairs of legs
C. Six limbs
D. At least ten pairs
of legs
26. Which of the
following is a key
characteristic of
dicotyledon
flower parts?
A. Flower parts in threes
B. Flower parts in fours
C. Flower parts in
fives
D. Flower parts in
multiples of six
27. Which of the
following is a
defining feature
of prokaryotic
cells?
A. Lack a nucleus
or nuclear
envelope
B. Possess a true nucleus
C. Contain chloroplasts
D. Are multicellular
28. Which of the
following is a
defining
characteristic of
monocotyledon
leaves?
A. Leaves with
parallel veins
B. Broad leaves with
branching veins
C. Leaves with no veins
D. Leaves that are shed
seasonally
29. A student uses a
dichotomous key
to identify a plant
found in a damp
forest area. The
key asks: 'Does
the plant have
simple or
compound
leaves?' The
student answers
'simple'. The next
question is: 'Does
the leaf
arrangement
alternate?' The
student answers
'yes'. The next
question is:
'What is the
flower color?' The
student answers
'greenish-yellow'.
Based on this,
which plant is it?
Details
A. Ophrys
sphegodes
(Hairy Bee
Orchid)
B. Cerastium
monterpyense (Pearly
Everlasting)
C. Epipactis helleborine
(Lady's Slipper
Orchid)
D. Nepeta racemosa
(Wild Mint)
30. Which of the
following
statements best
describes a key
difference
between
prokaryotes and
protoctists?
A. Protoctists have
a nucleus, while
prokaryotes do
not.
B. Prokaryotes are
multicellular, while
protoctists are single-
celled.
C. Protoctists lack a
nucleus, while
prokaryotes have one.
D. Prokaryotes have
chloroplasts, allowing
some to perform
photosynthesis, while
protoctists do not.
End of Quiz
