1. If being flashy and colorful attracts predators, why do you think guppies are so colorful?
Being flashy and colorful also helps the guppies attract mates, so if they can survive while being colorful, the guppies will mate and pass on those survival traits.
2. After viewing the guppy gallery, pick the fish you find most interesting. What is the fish’s scientific name, origin and average size? Describe the coloration of the fish you chose.
I particularly liked the poecilia reticulata, a 1.4" male from Brazil. It's a very interesting combination of colors, including black, yellow, green, white, and red. The colors are splotched throughout the fish.
3. After viewing the predator gallery, pick the fish you find most interesting. What is the fish’s common name, scientific name, and origin?
I liked the fat sleeper, also known as dormitator maculatus, from Southern North America, Bahamas, and Latin America.
4. View the guppy’s habitats, what habitat conditions would affect the predator populations?
Shallow pools would be very hard for predators to get into, and the only ones that would make it there would be weak predators. Small dams prevent many predators from going upstream, and large dams stop almost all predators. A section of a stream, however, allows both guppies and predators to move freely. Finally, small trickling streams could prevent larger predators from moving in.
5. Who is John Endler? What did he study and where did he study it?
John Endler was an evolutionary biologist who studied wild guppies in Trinidad streams.
6. For each of the three stream areas, describe the guppy coloration:
Pool 1: Many spots, bright, multi-colored
Pool 2: Medium spots, medium coloring
Pool 3: Drab colors, few spots, spots concentrated around tail
7. Develop your own hypothesis about guppy coloration. The hypothesis should answer the questions: Why do guppies in different areas of the stream have difference in coloration? (You can choose from the list on the simulation, or make up your own)
Guppies in different areas of the stream have different coloration because their different numbers or kinds of predators influences their coloring differently.
Trial 1
Guppy: Mostly Bright
Predators: 30 Rivulus, 30 Acara, 30 Cichlid
0% of Brightest Guppies (10 generations)
2% of Bright Guppies(10 generations)
4% of Drab Guppies(10 generations)
94% of Drabbest Guppies(10 generations)
FROM CHART:
Trial 2
Guppy: Even Mix
Predators: 30 Rivulus
60% of Brightest Guppies (10 generations)
9% of Bright Guppies(10 generations)
18% of Drab Guppies(10 generations)
13% of Drabbest Guppies(10 generations)
Trial 3
Guppy: Even Mix
Predators: 30 Rivulus, 30 Acara
8% of Brightest Guppies (10 generations)
70% of Bright Guppies(10 generations)
22% of Drab Guppies(10 generations)
0% of Drabbest Guppies(10 generations)
Trial 4
Guppy: Even Mix
Predators: 30 Rivulus, 30 Acara, 30 Cichlid
2% of Brightest Guppies (10 generations)
0% of Bright Guppies(10 generations)
9% of Drab Guppies(10 generations)
90% of Drabbest Guppies(10 generations)
Trial 5
Guppy: Mostly Bright
Predators: 30 Rivulus
75% of Brightest Guppies (10 generations)
20% of Bright Guppies(10 generations)
4% of Drab Guppies(10 generations)
1% of Drabbest Guppies(10 generations)
Trial 6
Guppy: Mostly Drab
Predators: 30 Rivulus, 30 Acara, 30 Cichlid
0% of Brightest Guppies (10 generations)
4% of Bright Guppies(10 generations)
12% of Drab Guppies(10 generations)
84% of Drabbest Guppies(10 generations)
8. Describe how predators influence guppy coloration.
The more predators there are, the less brightly colored guppies because the guppies don't want to attract attention.
9. Was your hypothesis correct, use your data to justify your answer.
My hypothesis was correct, because more predators made the number of brighter guppies drop, while drabber guppies became less prominent when there were few predators.
10. What does it mean that “male guppies live in a crossfire between their enemies and their would be mates”?
Male guppies can be harmed either direction they go color-wise. Bright colors attract mates and predators, while drab colors attract neither.
11. Why do you think guppies in different areas of the stream have different coloration?
Different areas of the stream have different predator numbers, affecting the coloring of the guppies.
12. What would happen to mostly drab guppies that were placed in a stream with very few predators?
Mostly drab guppies placed in a stream with few predators would become very flashy in time because of the low threat.
13. What would happen to brightly colored guppies that were placed in a stream with many predators?
Brightly colored guppies placed in a stream with many predators would eventually become drab due to the danger of having attention drawn to them.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Conservation for the People Summary
The Conservation for the People article in Scientific American was simple, yet it got its point across. It basically started out by stating that trying to preserve biodiversity for its own sake is pointless, and not working well. It then went on to say that focusing on protecting environments vital to humans is the way to go. These environments included forests, wetlands, mangroves, and reefs, all of which are helpful to humans. The author summed the article up by saying that saving these particular sites will preserve biodiversity and give humans the upper hand, as well. The author of this article definitely believes biodiversity should be viewed anthropocentrically, all the way.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Biodiversity
1) Preserving local biodiversity can affect global biodiversity because there are many Community Conserved Areas (CCAs) and officially-designated protected areas throughout the world, some of which are sacred forests or areas that support livelihoods, which local communities can conserve, thus preserving areas of huge significance all over the world.
2) Let's say that a certain environment heavily depends on a forest. If humans cut down the forest, or otherwise affect it, then all the organisms living in those trees or depending on them for food will no longer have the ability to survive in their habitat. It's a domino effect. The trees fall, then the food sources fall, followed by herbivores, followed by carnivores, going on and on down the line until the area dies out.
3) "… In Indian Agriculture, women use up to 150 different species of plants (which the biotech industry would call weeds) as medicine, food, or fodder. For the poorest, this biodiversity is the most important resource for survival. … What is a weed for Monsanto is a medicinal plant or food for rural people." -Vandana Shiva, Stolen Harvest, (South End Press, 2000), pp. 70-71, 104-105.
If the Indian women lost just one of those plants, the results could be catastrophic. Many cultures depend on very fragile species that make life for people easier or better in some way. In the case of the "weeds" in Indian agriculture, every single one of them is critical in some way. By preserving this area's biodiversity, the residents' lives can be better.
2) Let's say that a certain environment heavily depends on a forest. If humans cut down the forest, or otherwise affect it, then all the organisms living in those trees or depending on them for food will no longer have the ability to survive in their habitat. It's a domino effect. The trees fall, then the food sources fall, followed by herbivores, followed by carnivores, going on and on down the line until the area dies out.
3) "… In Indian Agriculture, women use up to 150 different species of plants (which the biotech industry would call weeds) as medicine, food, or fodder. For the poorest, this biodiversity is the most important resource for survival. … What is a weed for Monsanto is a medicinal plant or food for rural people." -Vandana Shiva, Stolen Harvest, (South End Press, 2000), pp. 70-71, 104-105.
If the Indian women lost just one of those plants, the results could be catastrophic. Many cultures depend on very fragile species that make life for people easier or better in some way. In the case of the "weeds" in Indian agriculture, every single one of them is critical in some way. By preserving this area's biodiversity, the residents' lives can be better.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Gases and Climate Change
Fuel ignites, we have "fuel", and we have a lighter. We are spreading the rubbing alcohol around the inside of the bottle, and the lights will go off. If we light the rubbing alcohol, it will catch on fire and light up.
The inside of the bottle had purple fire for a split second, then shot off the table. It made a huge wooshing noise. If we had left extra rubbing alcohol in the bottle, it would have burned for much longer. Just coating the inside resulted in a quick combustion process.
Combustion processes hurt the atmosphere by releasing gases in larg quantities than naturally appear. They also make the greenhouse effect grow worse. In the past decade or so, certain gases produced through combustion processes have risen to extreme levels.
When we hold the CO2 gas meets the flame, I think it will smother the flame.
The gas met the flame, and the flame went out. It was extremely simple. The CO2 is a heavy compound, smothers the flame, and does not have enough oxygen to support the fire.
Just as Vitamin D is essential to human life, CO2 is essential to environmental life. However, just as the vitamin can be toxic in a large quantity, too much CO2 is damaging to the environment.
If the hydrogen is exposed to flame, it will ignite.
The hydrogen was escaping visibly, in a whitish gas. It was an immediate reaction, and the hydrchloric acid was bubbling.the beaker was hot. When exposed to flame, the hydrogen gas made a loud, sudden pop like fireworks do, and it ignited. It burned until the reaction between the acid and the zinc slowed.
Biofuels are actually less efficient and more damaging to the atmosphere through the process of obtaining it than regular fuel.
Peak oil is when the planet's original supply of oil is halfway depleted. Many scientists believe it is already reached or will be by 2025.
Air pressure:
When the hot water vapor is cooled, it will drop to the bottom into water again.
Nothing happened that was visible or able to be heard.
The hot air will make the can bulge because warm air rises and cold air sinks.
The can crushed itself completely, like a vacuum sucked all the air out of it. It was an immediate reaction. There was a pop because the can crushed.
The inside of the bottle had purple fire for a split second, then shot off the table. It made a huge wooshing noise. If we had left extra rubbing alcohol in the bottle, it would have burned for much longer. Just coating the inside resulted in a quick combustion process.
Combustion processes hurt the atmosphere by releasing gases in larg quantities than naturally appear. They also make the greenhouse effect grow worse. In the past decade or so, certain gases produced through combustion processes have risen to extreme levels.
When we hold the CO2 gas meets the flame, I think it will smother the flame.
The gas met the flame, and the flame went out. It was extremely simple. The CO2 is a heavy compound, smothers the flame, and does not have enough oxygen to support the fire.
Just as Vitamin D is essential to human life, CO2 is essential to environmental life. However, just as the vitamin can be toxic in a large quantity, too much CO2 is damaging to the environment.
If the hydrogen is exposed to flame, it will ignite.
The hydrogen was escaping visibly, in a whitish gas. It was an immediate reaction, and the hydrchloric acid was bubbling.the beaker was hot. When exposed to flame, the hydrogen gas made a loud, sudden pop like fireworks do, and it ignited. It burned until the reaction between the acid and the zinc slowed.
Biofuels are actually less efficient and more damaging to the atmosphere through the process of obtaining it than regular fuel.
Peak oil is when the planet's original supply of oil is halfway depleted. Many scientists believe it is already reached or will be by 2025.
Air pressure:
When the hot water vapor is cooled, it will drop to the bottom into water again.
Nothing happened that was visible or able to be heard.
The hot air will make the can bulge because warm air rises and cold air sinks.
The can crushed itself completely, like a vacuum sucked all the air out of it. It was an immediate reaction. There was a pop because the can crushed.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Chernobyl Health Article
Summary: Cell, tissue, and organism damage rose in many places after Chernobyl had a meltdown. In many places, it was just a fraction of a percent, but in others, such as the evacuation areas at Chernobyl, the levels rose dramatically. There were 31 people who died during or soon after the accident, and 149 treated for acute radiation syndrome. One particularly affected organ was the thyroid, which was a common place for radiation to settle and affect.
Questions:
1) At low radiation levels and if the DNA is only slightly damaged, what usually can repair itself?
2) What is rapid cell death that can show itself within days or weeks known as?
3) What group of people received full body radiation exposure?
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Chernobyl Questions
1) What test was being run on the reactors?
2) What was the gland that the exposure to the radiation often affected?
3) What was the official Soviet figure representing how much radiation leaked in curies?
4) What is the structure around the reactor referred to as?
5) What did the article call the people who predicted over 100,000 cases of cancer to be diagnosed because of the Chernobyl incident?
6) About how thick were the walls of the building around the reactor?
2) What was the gland that the exposure to the radiation often affected?
3) What was the official Soviet figure representing how much radiation leaked in curies?
4) What is the structure around the reactor referred to as?
5) What did the article call the people who predicted over 100,000 cases of cancer to be diagnosed because of the Chernobyl incident?
6) About how thick were the walls of the building around the reactor?
Monday, August 30, 2010
Love Canal Questions
What reliable sources have declared the area safe?
Is there any idea of how toxic the fenced-off area is now?
How often does someone go out and physically monitor the site?
Is it safe for a town to be literally across the street from the toxic area?
Who determined where the fence should be placed, and how did they determine that the toxic area stopped there?
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