Pre-Lab
1. List some abiotic factors in an ecosystem:
- Sun energy
- Climate
- Weather
- Water
- Habitat
2. List some biotic factors in an ecosystem:
- Predators
- Prey
- Vegetation
- Decomposers
- Sun energy
- Climate
- Weather
- Water
- Habitat
2. List some biotic factors in an ecosystem:
- Predators
- Prey
- Vegetation
- Decomposers
Parts of the Experiment
Control Variables: Duration of heating, initial temperature (room temperature), volume of shrimp added
Independent Variable: Temperature in the four quadrants
Dependent Variable: Number of shrimp in the four quadrants
Control Group: The group without black construction paper
Experimental Group: The Group with the black construction paper split between the quadrants in a set way
Independent Variable: Temperature in the four quadrants
Dependent Variable: Number of shrimp in the four quadrants
Control Group: The group without black construction paper
Experimental Group: The Group with the black construction paper split between the quadrants in a set way
Hypothesis
If the preferred positions of Brine Shrimp in petri dishes with black construction paper split between even quadrants were to be tested, then the Brine Shrimp would prefer to be in the quadrant that is completely unaffected by the black construction paper.
Problem
How will the Brine Shrimp population vary between the quadrants as heat is applied and absorbed, both by the quadrants with paper and without?
Materials List
-Timer
-Petri Dish (2x)
-Black construction paper
-Scissors
-Heat Lamps
-Brine Shrimp
-Pipette
-Petri Dish (2x)
-Black construction paper
-Scissors
-Heat Lamps
-Brine Shrimp
-Pipette
Procedure
Points of note:
a. Allow the brine shrimp sufficient time to move to their preferred position along the gradient and distribute equally.
b. Collect data concerning population density at four positions along the gradient.
c. Make sure to rinse and dry the thermometer between measurements.
Control group
1. Obtain a Petri dish and divide it into four equal areas with a marker and label them with numbers 1-4.
2. Add 40 mL of the brine shrimp solution to the Petri dish.
3. Count the number shrimp in each of the four areas.
4. Record the temperature for each of the 4 sections.
5. Allow the Petri dish to sit under a lamp for 30 minutes.
6. After 30 minutes, record the number of shrimp in each of the four areas.
7. Record the temperature of each of the 4 sections.
Light group
1. Obtain a Petri dish and divide it into four equal areas with a marker and label them with numbers 1-4.
2. Add 2 mL of the brine shrimp solution to the Petri dish.
3. Count the number shrimp in each of the four areas.
4. Cover ½ of the Petri dish with black construction paper so that all of area 1 is covered and ½ of areas 2 and 3 are covered.
5. Record the temperature of each of the 4 sections.
6. Allow the Petri dish to sit under a lamp for 30 minutes.
7. After 30 minutes, record the number of shrimp in each of the four areas.
8. Record the temperature of each of the 4 sections.
a. Allow the brine shrimp sufficient time to move to their preferred position along the gradient and distribute equally.
b. Collect data concerning population density at four positions along the gradient.
c. Make sure to rinse and dry the thermometer between measurements.
Control group
1. Obtain a Petri dish and divide it into four equal areas with a marker and label them with numbers 1-4.
2. Add 40 mL of the brine shrimp solution to the Petri dish.
3. Count the number shrimp in each of the four areas.
4. Record the temperature for each of the 4 sections.
5. Allow the Petri dish to sit under a lamp for 30 minutes.
6. After 30 minutes, record the number of shrimp in each of the four areas.
7. Record the temperature of each of the 4 sections.
Light group
1. Obtain a Petri dish and divide it into four equal areas with a marker and label them with numbers 1-4.
2. Add 2 mL of the brine shrimp solution to the Petri dish.
3. Count the number shrimp in each of the four areas.
4. Cover ½ of the Petri dish with black construction paper so that all of area 1 is covered and ½ of areas 2 and 3 are covered.
5. Record the temperature of each of the 4 sections.
6. Allow the Petri dish to sit under a lamp for 30 minutes.
7. After 30 minutes, record the number of shrimp in each of the four areas.
8. Record the temperature of each of the 4 sections.
Observations
During the experiment, the lab was set up so the heat lamp was approximately 18-24 inches above the petri dish. This provided an ample amount of heat, without providing too much. The experiment was performed by eight different groups; the data provided in this lab report was chosen from two experiments with relatively the same amount of brine shrimp. It should be noted that in the experimental group, the black construction paper was fully in quadrant 1 and half in quadrants 2 and 3.
Data Tables and Graphs
Control Group:
Experimental Group:
Conclusion and Analysis
The results of the experiment show that the shrimp seem to prefer no specific temperature in the 29-31 degrees Celsius range. It would seem, however, that the shrimp do prefer lower levels of light as the temperature rises, as they were predominately in the regions with a black construction
paper backing. The shrimp seem to be attracted to no specific temperature and lower levels of light. The regions with the black construction paper backing. I would say there are not any outliers because the shrimp seemed to prefer no specific region. The results of this experiment can not be accurately applied to aquatic environments because the results do not reflect the natural behavior of aquatic animals. Aquatic animals would typically go to a location that has optimal conditions for their species, whether they be low light or high temperatures.
The results may have been skewed by the experimenters. The results shown are not the results from the original experiment. The results are from other experimenters, since the shrimp in the original experiment died. This may mess up the results because the other experiments may have had flaws that the results do not show. This experiment relates to the ecology unit of APES because it shows how species behave in different environments. This can be applied to the real world because human intervention such as pollution can change the conditions of the waters that the aquatic species live in. Typically, macro invertebrates are good indicators of water quality and conditions. The brine shrimp in the original experiment reflected poor living conditions in the petri dish.
paper backing. The shrimp seem to be attracted to no specific temperature and lower levels of light. The regions with the black construction paper backing. I would say there are not any outliers because the shrimp seemed to prefer no specific region. The results of this experiment can not be accurately applied to aquatic environments because the results do not reflect the natural behavior of aquatic animals. Aquatic animals would typically go to a location that has optimal conditions for their species, whether they be low light or high temperatures.
The results may have been skewed by the experimenters. The results shown are not the results from the original experiment. The results are from other experimenters, since the shrimp in the original experiment died. This may mess up the results because the other experiments may have had flaws that the results do not show. This experiment relates to the ecology unit of APES because it shows how species behave in different environments. This can be applied to the real world because human intervention such as pollution can change the conditions of the waters that the aquatic species live in. Typically, macro invertebrates are good indicators of water quality and conditions. The brine shrimp in the original experiment reflected poor living conditions in the petri dish.