The Tools of Classification Binomial Nomenclature Cladograms Dichotomous Keys Binomial nomenclature is the two- A cladogram is a branching diagram A dichotomous key is a scientific tool name naming system developed by that is used for showing evolutionary used to identify unknown organisms Carolus Linnaeus for classifying relationships. Each branch is called a like bacteria, protists, fungi, plants, organisms. Latin or Greek language taxon, while the locations where the and animals. is used in order to reduce confusion branch intersects the main diagram that is often caused when using is called a node. This shows where a A dichotomous key is made up of a common names. Names of newly new trait has evolved. series of paired statements that the found organisms are created based user must choose between until on physical or behavioral Cladograms take a group of coming to the correct name of the characteristics, the name of a organisms and by looking at physical, organism. Dichotomous means person who founded it or a person behavioral, and genetic similarities “divided into two distinct parts” so it the founder wishes to name the and differences, it shows which makes sense that these keys have organism after, or the location in organisms are more closely related. two choices for each step the user which the organism was discovered. Closely related organism will have takes. The two names consist of the Genus branches near one another while which is always capitalized and the those that are not closely related species which is lowercase. Both will be further apart on the words are either underlined or cladogram. italicized. .