What Was This Project?
For our first unit in our new biology centered STEM, we focused one of the most important aspects of biology, evolution. For this unit we looked at how and why organisms evolution, and why they go extinct. To better understand this process, we were to choose an animal and research various aspects about it that relate to this core idea. My group (containing myself, Cooper Hochman, Jake Hobson, and Nico Hadiaris), picked the giant otter, and displayed our research in a slideshow, while also making a video game. While we worked on this, we also studied different pieces of the evolution puzzle, such as how new species are created, what role the environment plays, how we can prove evolution, and more. On this page, you will find our slideshow, our game (due to programming limitations certain things need to be done in order to play it, a document will be at the bottom of this page with instructions), our slideshow on speciation, key concepts from this unit, and my reflection on this project.
Concepts Used In This Project:
Evolution- The development of new traits in a species, that are needed in order to survive. The five factors that cause evolution are non-random mating, gene flow, small population, adaptation, and mutations. Some ways we can prove evolution are anatomy, as many species share anatomy structures suggesting a common ancestor, the direct observation of species evolving, the similarities in embryos again suggesting a common ancestor, and fossils which can show us species that came in between species and show the transition of animals. This has been the underlying theme of this unit and we specifically studied the evolution of our chosen animal.
Extinction- When a species becomes non-existent. This can be due to a variety of factors, such as the environment, humans, and a lack of vital resources. We had to find out whether our animal species would go extinct or survive.
Speciation- The process in which a new species is formed. The two major types of speciation are allopatric, where a new species forms due to geography (also known as geographic isolation), and sympatric, where two different species form in the same environment. Different factors can cause organisms not to breed and form new species, this is known as reproductive isolation, such as different mating rituals (behavioral isolation), different mating seasons (temporal isolation), and biological differences (mechanical isolation). We had to research the different forms of speciation, and we did a slideshow on it which can be seen above.
Adaptation- Where an organism develops in a way to suit its environment. They are what make creatures desirable and one of the main ways evolution happens. We looked at how our chosen animal adapted to its environment.
Natural Selection+Survival of the Fittest- These basic ideas both have a similar theme in them. Both state that in order of an organism to survive and reproduce, they must be well suited for their environment. Our chosen animal had to go through both of these to get its current form.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)- PCR is a process that is used to multiple DNA to make it easier to study. It consists of three steps. The first step is denaturing, where the DNA is heated and separated. Next is annealing where the primer is added, which directs what DNA strands need to be replicated. The final step is elongation, where the new strands are created. We did a PCR lab in class.
Artificial Selection- Artificial selection is where humans choose what traits they want in animals. We did an example of this in class with our bacteria lab.
Biodiversity- The amount of diversity in the environment. Biodiversity is important as every organism depends on another organism. If one species goes extinct, this can lead to a domino effect for the species that depend on it. Our chosen animal, the giant otter, depends on biodiversity in order to survive.
Gene Pool- This is all of the genes a population has. This is what determines what traits an organism will have. If new traits enter the gene pool, this can lead to evolution. This relates to our chosen animal as the gene pool decides what traits the giant otter has.
Cladogram- Cladograms are graphic that shows the process of evolution taking place and you start at the stem and go up. They organize animals based on similarities. We had to make our own cladograms to understand the process. An example of one can be seen below.
Extinction- When a species becomes non-existent. This can be due to a variety of factors, such as the environment, humans, and a lack of vital resources. We had to find out whether our animal species would go extinct or survive.
Speciation- The process in which a new species is formed. The two major types of speciation are allopatric, where a new species forms due to geography (also known as geographic isolation), and sympatric, where two different species form in the same environment. Different factors can cause organisms not to breed and form new species, this is known as reproductive isolation, such as different mating rituals (behavioral isolation), different mating seasons (temporal isolation), and biological differences (mechanical isolation). We had to research the different forms of speciation, and we did a slideshow on it which can be seen above.
Adaptation- Where an organism develops in a way to suit its environment. They are what make creatures desirable and one of the main ways evolution happens. We looked at how our chosen animal adapted to its environment.
Natural Selection+Survival of the Fittest- These basic ideas both have a similar theme in them. Both state that in order of an organism to survive and reproduce, they must be well suited for their environment. Our chosen animal had to go through both of these to get its current form.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)- PCR is a process that is used to multiple DNA to make it easier to study. It consists of three steps. The first step is denaturing, where the DNA is heated and separated. Next is annealing where the primer is added, which directs what DNA strands need to be replicated. The final step is elongation, where the new strands are created. We did a PCR lab in class.
Artificial Selection- Artificial selection is where humans choose what traits they want in animals. We did an example of this in class with our bacteria lab.
Biodiversity- The amount of diversity in the environment. Biodiversity is important as every organism depends on another organism. If one species goes extinct, this can lead to a domino effect for the species that depend on it. Our chosen animal, the giant otter, depends on biodiversity in order to survive.
Gene Pool- This is all of the genes a population has. This is what determines what traits an organism will have. If new traits enter the gene pool, this can lead to evolution. This relates to our chosen animal as the gene pool decides what traits the giant otter has.
Cladogram- Cladograms are graphic that shows the process of evolution taking place and you start at the stem and go up. They organize animals based on similarities. We had to make our own cladograms to understand the process. An example of one can be seen below.
Reflection:
For this project, I would say that my group and I were successful overall. One thing that we did well was our division of labor. We nicely divided up what we had to, and each person was able to do their part, and make their mark on this project. This can be specifically seen when we split the different subjects we had to research, for max efficiency. Another thing I did well was the substance of the research I did. I felt like I did a good amount of research on the topics I had to look into. This can be seen in the information shown in the "How Humans Have Affected The Giant Otter" section.
For all the things my group and I did well, there were still some fault. Firstly, my time management wasn't the greatest. After we finished the slideshow, I should have used my time to think of ways to better our project, which I didn't until later. This will be something to work on for next time. Also, I could have collaborated with my group better. While I did a fine job for the most part, I could have done a better job addressing the needs of my fellow group mates. For the next project, I will do this.
For all the things my group and I did well, there were still some fault. Firstly, my time management wasn't the greatest. After we finished the slideshow, I should have used my time to think of ways to better our project, which I didn't until later. This will be something to work on for next time. Also, I could have collaborated with my group better. While I did a fine job for the most part, I could have done a better job addressing the needs of my fellow group mates. For the next project, I will do this.
how_to_play_the_game.docx | |
File Size: | 6 kb |
File Type: | docx |