Candy Classification
N Pirzada. Published: 2.27.2015 Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational School

Abstract:
To classify candy genera and make a dichotomous key by making a detailed comparison based on the phenotype of each species. Fourteen different species of candy were observed by their physical characteristics. The genera were divided into two categories repeatedly until a species was identified. Some of the classification methods used were the divisions of species by colour, shape and exterior wrapping. All species were identified, but many of the species had similar physical characteristics to each other. Five candy species had a heart shaped body. Five candy species had exterior wrapping. Three species were in the colour red and some species have red included in their body colour (Purple Heart Candy). However, some of the rare phenotypes included a cylinder shaped sticks attached to the candy (Red Heart Lollipop and Yellow Lollipop), malleability as a physical property (Caramel Toffee) and candy coated with sprinkles and sugar (Chocolate coated with sprinkles and Purple Irregular Gummy). To conclude, all species were successfully identified by making detailed comparisons of each species’ phenotype and making a dichotomous key to organise the divisions.

Purpose:
To identify different candy species by observing the phenotypes of the candy genera and constructing a dichotomous key. To make clear differentiation of the species by creating divisions into two categories until each species is identified.

Materials:
Red heart lollipop
Yellow lollipop
Rockets
Caramel toffee
Orange gumball
Chocolate with sprinkles
Peach hard candy
Purple heart candy
Pink heart candy
White heart candy
Red heart candy
Purple gummy
White gummy bear
Red cinnamon heart candy
Pencil
Paper

Procedure:
1. Find a general physical characteristic that allows you to separate the bag of candy into 2 groups.
2. Find another characteristic that allows you to further subdivide each group from step 1 into 2 groups.
3. Continue until all the candy has been classified into a branching diagram. The last “leaf” on each “branch” should be the name of a specific candy.
4. Use the branching diagram for your candy classification to create a dichotomous key as a series of numbered questions.
5. Have another student test your dichotomous key to ensure it is clear and functional.

Observations:

Candy Species: Physical Characteristics and Observations 1
Species
Phenotype
Red Heart Lollipop
Raspberry red coloured, heart shaped, hard, brittle, cracks inside candy, 12 cm in length and attached to a cylinder shaped stick, transparent wrapper and thin wrapper lines.
Yellow Lollipop
Sun yellow coloured, hard, brittle, spirals in the centre, circular, 10 cm in length and attached to a cylinder shaped stick, transparent wrapper and thick wrapper lines.
Rockets
Circular in shape, 9 cm in length, wrapper includes red stars, hard, mostly transparent wrapper and includes various pastel colours (purple, yellow, pink and green).
Caramel Toffee
Caramelised sugar scent, malleable, ductile, transparent wrapper with white translucent writing, tan brown coloured and in the shape of a rectangular prism.
Orange Gumball
Vibrant orange coloured, spherical, malleable, opaque, no wrapping and lustrous, 3 cm in width.
Chocolate With Sprinkles
Milk chocolate brown coloured, snow white/fluorescent pink/cherry red sprinkles on top, oval shaped, hard, melting point 30 degrees Celsius, and faint sweet milk chocolate scent.
Peach Hard Candy
Lustrous wrapper, peach flavoured, opaque, hard, brittle, 2.5 cm in length and orange/yellow coloured.

Candy Species: Physical Characteristics and Observation 2
Species
Phenotype
Purple Heart Candy
Pastel purple coloured, no wrapper, heart shaped, “Ask Me” written in cherry red in the centre, hard, opaque and 1.5 cm in length.
White Heart Candy
Snow white coloured, opaque, hard, heart shaped and lustrous 0.9 cm in length.
Pink Heart