Abstract: Based on analysis of the structure of keys, this paper deems that the fundamental contradiction of keys is the contradiction between the individual characters of specimens and the common characters used in keys. The principal contradiction of single-access key is the contradiction between the characters used conditionally in keys and the finite characters of individual specimens, so single-access key cannot well solve the fundamental contradiction and is limited in applicative areas and on using effect. The principal contradiction of multi-access key is a contradiction between the limited characters of character database and the unlimited individual characters of species, hence there is not the contradiction between individual characters and the common characters. Therefore, multi-access key well resolves the fundamental contradiction and can be utilized expediently.

Key words: key, single-access key, multi-access key, fundamental contradiction, principal contradiction

摘要： 通过对生物检索表结构的分析，认为检索表的根本矛盾是标本具有的个性性状与检索表使用的共性性状的矛盾。单道检索表的主要矛盾是检索表对性状的有条件使用与单个标本性状有限性之间的矛盾，因而单道检索表未能很好地解决其基本矛盾，使得其应用范围和使用效果受到诸多影响。多道检索表的主要矛盾是性状数据库内性状的有限性与物种具有的个性性状的无限性之间的矛盾，不存在个性与共性的矛盾，即解决了根本矛盾问题，便于检索应用。

关键词: 检索表, 单道检索表, 多道检索表, 根本矛盾, 主要矛盾