Biology – 1.2 Concept and uses of classification systems | e-Consult
1.2 Concept and uses of classification systems (1 questions)
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Following the key:
- Wings are grey... Go to 2
- Wings are brown... Go to 5
- Wings have distinct yellow spots... Biston betularia (Peppered Moth)
The student's moth has grey wings, so they follow the instruction to go to step 2. However, step 2 directs them to look for brown wings. This indicates an error in the provided key. The key is incomplete or contains contradictory information. Based *solely* on the provided key, the student cannot definitively identify the moth. However, if we assume the key is otherwise correct, and that the student has correctly identified the moth as having grey wings, the key leads to the conclusion that the moth is Biston betularia. This highlights the importance of checking for inconsistencies in a dichotomous key.