Biology
Overall
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a subject that will be sure to help me in the future and further my knowledge and backround on cells, genes, new species and inherited traits, and living organisms. Throughout the year I will learn about ecosystems, the human body, Evolution of early Hominids, and how do prevent and help diabetes in Apes. This is a very hands on class, we have visuals and will be dissecting animals! My teacher is Colleen. She is really awesome and has a great relationship with the students. She is always willing to help which is much appreciated from the class. Also, she never fails to make class an enjoyable place to be!
Check out my Biology Blog here: http://biologyblog6.blogspot.com/
Check out my Biology Blog here: http://biologyblog6.blogspot.com/
FORENSIC PROJECT
For this project we were given a crime and were told to investigate it with the evidence provided in the crime scene. At first when introduced to our crime, we had no idea what to expect. We were told to investigate and take pictures and label our evidence. We found ten different types of evidence including blood to track DNA, a maggot that was found eating off the bodies head to trace the time died, and fingerprints, tire prints, and footprints to trace down the type of car, and the people involved in this crime. Throughout this project we did many different labs and recorded our evidence in our evidence logs. Our evidence logs explain how the evidence recorded will help track down who the killer and victim was.
My favorite part of this project was all the different labs to put together the pieces of evidence. During this projects we learned how to separate DNA, record fingerprints, footprints, and tire prints. With the data collected from the crime scene we took the mold and evidence and compared it to different people involved in our crime. During the beginning of the project I was really engaged while we were investigating and doing hands-on activities. Although I was eager to know what happened and who the killer was, I now have a full understanding of how to investigate a crime scene. Our project was pretty similar to a real situation besides the fake materials. This project took a lot of patients. We had a lot of responsibility in this project which made it really confusing, but thrilling at the same time.There were many moments where my partner and I were confused as to what task we have to complete next, but in the end all of our evidence matched up with the killer who confessed that she killed the man.
If I were to do this project again the only thing I would have done differently is create a plan so that we are more organized throughout the project. I found myself confused sometimes and it was hard to complete the evidence logs and labs during the same period of time. I think that those two should be separate with an organized plan or calendar of what to accomplish each day so that you don't get behind on your project. Also I would have given myself more time if I was more organized so that I could review everything before the exhibition and give a good presentation about my project to visitors.
My favorite part of this project was all the different labs to put together the pieces of evidence. During this projects we learned how to separate DNA, record fingerprints, footprints, and tire prints. With the data collected from the crime scene we took the mold and evidence and compared it to different people involved in our crime. During the beginning of the project I was really engaged while we were investigating and doing hands-on activities. Although I was eager to know what happened and who the killer was, I now have a full understanding of how to investigate a crime scene. Our project was pretty similar to a real situation besides the fake materials. This project took a lot of patients. We had a lot of responsibility in this project which made it really confusing, but thrilling at the same time.There were many moments where my partner and I were confused as to what task we have to complete next, but in the end all of our evidence matched up with the killer who confessed that she killed the man.
If I were to do this project again the only thing I would have done differently is create a plan so that we are more organized throughout the project. I found myself confused sometimes and it was hard to complete the evidence logs and labs during the same period of time. I think that those two should be separate with an organized plan or calendar of what to accomplish each day so that you don't get behind on your project. Also I would have given myself more time if I was more organized so that I could review everything before the exhibition and give a good presentation about my project to visitors.
Great Pacific Garbage Patch Project
To see attached management plans and Project essay please click the link
/the-great-pacific-garbage-patch-project.html
/the-great-pacific-garbage-patch-project.html
Project Reflection
For the Biology Project I created a poster on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. I chose to do this project because I have always wondered where all the trash and plastic bags I use go and what it does to our environment. After doing this project I realized how much harm I have done to the environment by using plastic bags, plastic sandwich bags, and plastic water bottles.
I learned that I could help contribute to this problem by promoting conscious consumption and spreading the word to recycle and stop purchasing plastic items. Though plastic is easy to use and deportable, it isn’t reusable and is constantly misused and disposed wrong and not properly recycled.
In my management plan the strongest part of it is providing conscious consumption. It can be done by handing out flyers as well a providing information through a website that can be public and shown around the Internet.
Through out this project I have learned how to write a scientific paper, and management plans provided with a budget, become proficient with Excel, and I learned how to research my topic and scholarly articles. Not only that but I have learned a lot about a complex problem that is current with our world now. I have learned how I can help contribute to the garbage patch by recycling, using reusable bags, and encouraging others to do the same. Another part of my management plan was to ban plastic bags in Durango Colorado, and get rid of vending machines that are providing plastic water bottles. In place of vending machines we could provide reusable water bottles kids can leave in a certain area in the school. This would not only help our environment, water bottles keep your water fresh, cold, and are transportation, as well as reusable.
After this project it made me think different and thoughtfully before I purchase a plastic item. I will challenge myself to use as little as plastic as possible. By doing this I will use a lunch box, water bottle, and I won’t buy bottled waters and unnecessary items. There are always other options I have when I shop, and how I transport my food and drinks. There are many benefits to a lunch box and water bottle they keep the food and drink fresh and cold and your food will less likely be squashed. As a result, city market bags are thin and can rip easily, you can lose food and it is much more noisy, whereas my lunch box folds so that it fits easily in my bag. This project was an eye opening experience for me and made me want to inspire others to participate and help contribute to this world problem
I learned that I could help contribute to this problem by promoting conscious consumption and spreading the word to recycle and stop purchasing plastic items. Though plastic is easy to use and deportable, it isn’t reusable and is constantly misused and disposed wrong and not properly recycled.
In my management plan the strongest part of it is providing conscious consumption. It can be done by handing out flyers as well a providing information through a website that can be public and shown around the Internet.
Through out this project I have learned how to write a scientific paper, and management plans provided with a budget, become proficient with Excel, and I learned how to research my topic and scholarly articles. Not only that but I have learned a lot about a complex problem that is current with our world now. I have learned how I can help contribute to the garbage patch by recycling, using reusable bags, and encouraging others to do the same. Another part of my management plan was to ban plastic bags in Durango Colorado, and get rid of vending machines that are providing plastic water bottles. In place of vending machines we could provide reusable water bottles kids can leave in a certain area in the school. This would not only help our environment, water bottles keep your water fresh, cold, and are transportation, as well as reusable.
After this project it made me think different and thoughtfully before I purchase a plastic item. I will challenge myself to use as little as plastic as possible. By doing this I will use a lunch box, water bottle, and I won’t buy bottled waters and unnecessary items. There are always other options I have when I shop, and how I transport my food and drinks. There are many benefits to a lunch box and water bottle they keep the food and drink fresh and cold and your food will less likely be squashed. As a result, city market bags are thin and can rip easily, you can lose food and it is much more noisy, whereas my lunch box folds so that it fits easily in my bag. This project was an eye opening experience for me and made me want to inspire others to participate and help contribute to this world problem
Hominid Evolution: Skull Comparison Lab
During this lab I learned how to measure and label different parts of the skull, become aware of different hominids, and could tell whether a skull is more ape-like or human-like based off of my results.
Skull Analysis:
A. Four features in the skull that determined the hominid was bipedal:
1. If Foramen Magnum was located underneath the hominid was bipedal, if it was towards the rear than the hominid was more likely quadra-pedal. 2. Short canines. 3. If the incisor angle was vertical. 4. Their jaw shape shows they are bipedal if they have a parabolic jaw.
B. 1. Hip bones fan shaped 2. Femur angled in towards knee joint, not curved much
C. 1. Stone tools chipped in systematic patterns 2. Footprints 3. Cave Art
D. Apes are alive today. Both apes and humans have evolved from some ape-like/ human-like ancestor. However, we did not evolve from apes.
E. Biologically connected and related
F. With traits common to both ape-like or human-like that are connected through common ancestors
G. Their fossils show evidence of same age
H. 1. Brow-ridges reduced, as well as increased forehead volume
2. Chin Forward
1. I do think that humans and modern apes shared a common ansestor, because there are similarities with the apes that we share as well. I think this means we must share a common ancestor.
2. A reason why bipeadalism is the need for limbs is because of the need for carrying. Another reason is feet with big toes makes walking easier with a down and up motion.
3. We could have evoved from a hominid with a distinct brow-bone that could have evolved into apes or humans from Genetic Drift.
4. A. Over time the sagittal crest got smaller and less of a crest.
B. The larger the sagittal crest the bigger the muscle and the stronger the jaw is. The zygomatic arch was another muscle attachment area while protecting the muscle.
C. The need for bigger muscles and stronger jaws for chimps and apes to be able to kill and eat food with their mouths, and over time humans have evolved with large brain structure and different traits so we can carry things and gain more knowledge then other hominids. If we all depended on the same resources we would have none left by now and many species would die. This way we have evolved from a variety of different species that adapt to their environment.
5. Chimps and Apes are designed so that they can survive with strong jaws and more muscles in the head than humans. Humans use more knowledge and we can carry things chimps cannot.
A. Four features in the skull that determined the hominid was bipedal:
1. If Foramen Magnum was located underneath the hominid was bipedal, if it was towards the rear than the hominid was more likely quadra-pedal. 2. Short canines. 3. If the incisor angle was vertical. 4. Their jaw shape shows they are bipedal if they have a parabolic jaw.
B. 1. Hip bones fan shaped 2. Femur angled in towards knee joint, not curved much
C. 1. Stone tools chipped in systematic patterns 2. Footprints 3. Cave Art
D. Apes are alive today. Both apes and humans have evolved from some ape-like/ human-like ancestor. However, we did not evolve from apes.
E. Biologically connected and related
F. With traits common to both ape-like or human-like that are connected through common ancestors
G. Their fossils show evidence of same age
H. 1. Brow-ridges reduced, as well as increased forehead volume
2. Chin Forward
1. I do think that humans and modern apes shared a common ansestor, because there are similarities with the apes that we share as well. I think this means we must share a common ancestor.
2. A reason why bipeadalism is the need for limbs is because of the need for carrying. Another reason is feet with big toes makes walking easier with a down and up motion.
3. We could have evoved from a hominid with a distinct brow-bone that could have evolved into apes or humans from Genetic Drift.
4. A. Over time the sagittal crest got smaller and less of a crest.
B. The larger the sagittal crest the bigger the muscle and the stronger the jaw is. The zygomatic arch was another muscle attachment area while protecting the muscle.
C. The need for bigger muscles and stronger jaws for chimps and apes to be able to kill and eat food with their mouths, and over time humans have evolved with large brain structure and different traits so we can carry things and gain more knowledge then other hominids. If we all depended on the same resources we would have none left by now and many species would die. This way we have evolved from a variety of different species that adapt to their environment.
5. Chimps and Apes are designed so that they can survive with strong jaws and more muscles in the head than humans. Humans use more knowledge and we can carry things chimps cannot.
Amphibian population estimates and ecosystem assessment on the Durango Nature Studies property
Introduction
The Durango Nature Studies is a place In Durango, Colorado that brings nature education to Colorado students and the community. The 140-acre DNS property was, which is located outside Durango, Colorado, was acquired June of 1998 under a conservation easement. Right at the beginning of the Durango Nature Studies there is a footpath that leads down to the Florida River. From there, trails wander through a wide variety of habitats- riparian, meadows, oak woodlands, pinon-juniper forests, and desert arroyos. Nearby the Florida River there is a pond that is inhabited by frogs and has been stocked with sunfish. There are procedures to follow to capture frogs to collect data. After identifying the frogs and finishing data, the frogs were released back in the pond. In recent years, bullfrogs have been spotted on the DNS property. DNS hopes to be proactive about monitoring the bullfrog’s population in order to avoid degradation of native amphibian populations.
Natural History
Current status of bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) in Colorado is invasive. Invasive species are a concern because they can outcompete native species for resources. One of the native species Bullfrogs and Bluegills can outcompete is the Leopard Frogs (Rana pipiens). Leopard frogs are species of concern in Colorado. Populations have been decreasing rapidly. Things that are affecting Leopard Frogs are disease, pressure from collectors, habit deterioration, pollution, and ultra-violet radiation. Leopard Frogs are brown to green frogs with three rows of irregularly arranged black spots located on the dorsal surface. They have many habitats such as marshes, ponds, lakes, rivers, or streams. During warmer months they will leave water and mission into fields or pastures. Diet consists of terrestrial invertebrates, such as spiders and insects. They start to emerge from hibernation earliest being March 1st. During breeding season eggs are laid at the bottom of a pond. The eggs can contain masses of 300 to 800 eggs. Hatching will occur in about a week, and then tadpoles will develop from then in the period of one year. The Bullfrog is the largest from in North America. Females are larger than males normally. The Bullfrog varies in color between dark olive to pale green above and white underneath. Diet of the Bullfrog consists of anything it can swallow including: invertebrates, small vertebrates such as birds, mammals, reptiles, fish, even turtles and other frogs. Usually Bullfrogs are found near the edge of large, slow moving, bodies of freshwater. The longest Bullfrogs have ever lived is up to six to seven years. Not only are can they grow up to around 3-6 inches, but they also can leap around 3-6 feet!
Method and Materials
There were three different methods and materials used to estimate Amphibians. 4 Pitfall traps were set up and checked daily to find amphibians. There were visual encounter surveys that were conducted around the pond each day for 4 days to check for amphibians. The last method used was a one-hour mark session that was conducted and a one-hour recapture session conducted.
Three methods and materials were set up to assess overall quality. One was water chemistry tests were conducted: Nitrates, Phosphates, Dissolved Oxygen, and pH. Also four random Veg Plot Surveys were conducted. Lastly, macroinvertebrates were collected in the river using a kick method, and in the pond using a dip net.
Results
According to the Shannon-Weiner equation the diversity index for the pond was found to be 0.99 in 2011, and 1.21 in 2012. The diversity index for the river was found to be 1.03 in 2011 and 0.88 in 2012. Stoneflies have the lowest pollution tolerance of all the macroinvertebrates. Stoneflies were not found in the river or pond, suggesting some level of pollution. Nitrogen and Phosphates were found to be high in both the river and the pond. In the river and pond pH was found to be alkaline. Dissolved Oxygen was found low in the pond and normal in the river. Coliform was shown positive in both the pond and river, suggesting that there is fecal matter in the substance. The Leopard frog population was found to be 11. The Bullfrog population was 1.
Conclusion and Discussion
According to population estimates it can be concluded that Bullfrogs have less of a population than leopard frogs. As a result, there are no actions need to be taken to decrease the population of bullfrogs. Though bullfrogs are a very aggressive species and can harm many others, there isn’t enough to affect other species.
With a high biodiversity index the stability is greater than an ecosystem with a lower biodiversity. Over the years 2011 and 2012 the biodiversity and ecosystem stability increased in the DNS pond, and decreased in the river.
Nitrates and phosphates were found high in both the river and pond. The algal blooms are not a potential threat to the river. However, they are in the pond. The reason of positive coliform tests was due to the fact that there was found fecal matter in the pond and river.
Some ideas to improve this project in the future would be for the project to be focused more on catching the one bullfrog, and less attention on the pit fall traps and population estimates. Also the project would be more exciting if there was more time trying to catch the bullfrog. Another idea would be to state the fact that the frogs could be in the bushes nearby the pond. There could be a possibility students could find more frogs nearby the bushes when there are students in the pond scaring the frogs. Perhaps students should walk transect across the length of the DNS property in order to survey the frog populations rather than focuses only around the pond.
The Durango Nature Studies is a place In Durango, Colorado that brings nature education to Colorado students and the community. The 140-acre DNS property was, which is located outside Durango, Colorado, was acquired June of 1998 under a conservation easement. Right at the beginning of the Durango Nature Studies there is a footpath that leads down to the Florida River. From there, trails wander through a wide variety of habitats- riparian, meadows, oak woodlands, pinon-juniper forests, and desert arroyos. Nearby the Florida River there is a pond that is inhabited by frogs and has been stocked with sunfish. There are procedures to follow to capture frogs to collect data. After identifying the frogs and finishing data, the frogs were released back in the pond. In recent years, bullfrogs have been spotted on the DNS property. DNS hopes to be proactive about monitoring the bullfrog’s population in order to avoid degradation of native amphibian populations.
Natural History
Current status of bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) in Colorado is invasive. Invasive species are a concern because they can outcompete native species for resources. One of the native species Bullfrogs and Bluegills can outcompete is the Leopard Frogs (Rana pipiens). Leopard frogs are species of concern in Colorado. Populations have been decreasing rapidly. Things that are affecting Leopard Frogs are disease, pressure from collectors, habit deterioration, pollution, and ultra-violet radiation. Leopard Frogs are brown to green frogs with three rows of irregularly arranged black spots located on the dorsal surface. They have many habitats such as marshes, ponds, lakes, rivers, or streams. During warmer months they will leave water and mission into fields or pastures. Diet consists of terrestrial invertebrates, such as spiders and insects. They start to emerge from hibernation earliest being March 1st. During breeding season eggs are laid at the bottom of a pond. The eggs can contain masses of 300 to 800 eggs. Hatching will occur in about a week, and then tadpoles will develop from then in the period of one year. The Bullfrog is the largest from in North America. Females are larger than males normally. The Bullfrog varies in color between dark olive to pale green above and white underneath. Diet of the Bullfrog consists of anything it can swallow including: invertebrates, small vertebrates such as birds, mammals, reptiles, fish, even turtles and other frogs. Usually Bullfrogs are found near the edge of large, slow moving, bodies of freshwater. The longest Bullfrogs have ever lived is up to six to seven years. Not only are can they grow up to around 3-6 inches, but they also can leap around 3-6 feet!
Method and Materials
There were three different methods and materials used to estimate Amphibians. 4 Pitfall traps were set up and checked daily to find amphibians. There were visual encounter surveys that were conducted around the pond each day for 4 days to check for amphibians. The last method used was a one-hour mark session that was conducted and a one-hour recapture session conducted.
Three methods and materials were set up to assess overall quality. One was water chemistry tests were conducted: Nitrates, Phosphates, Dissolved Oxygen, and pH. Also four random Veg Plot Surveys were conducted. Lastly, macroinvertebrates were collected in the river using a kick method, and in the pond using a dip net.
Results
According to the Shannon-Weiner equation the diversity index for the pond was found to be 0.99 in 2011, and 1.21 in 2012. The diversity index for the river was found to be 1.03 in 2011 and 0.88 in 2012. Stoneflies have the lowest pollution tolerance of all the macroinvertebrates. Stoneflies were not found in the river or pond, suggesting some level of pollution. Nitrogen and Phosphates were found to be high in both the river and the pond. In the river and pond pH was found to be alkaline. Dissolved Oxygen was found low in the pond and normal in the river. Coliform was shown positive in both the pond and river, suggesting that there is fecal matter in the substance. The Leopard frog population was found to be 11. The Bullfrog population was 1.
Conclusion and Discussion
According to population estimates it can be concluded that Bullfrogs have less of a population than leopard frogs. As a result, there are no actions need to be taken to decrease the population of bullfrogs. Though bullfrogs are a very aggressive species and can harm many others, there isn’t enough to affect other species.
With a high biodiversity index the stability is greater than an ecosystem with a lower biodiversity. Over the years 2011 and 2012 the biodiversity and ecosystem stability increased in the DNS pond, and decreased in the river.
Nitrates and phosphates were found high in both the river and pond. The algal blooms are not a potential threat to the river. However, they are in the pond. The reason of positive coliform tests was due to the fact that there was found fecal matter in the pond and river.
Some ideas to improve this project in the future would be for the project to be focused more on catching the one bullfrog, and less attention on the pit fall traps and population estimates. Also the project would be more exciting if there was more time trying to catch the bullfrog. Another idea would be to state the fact that the frogs could be in the bushes nearby the pond. There could be a possibility students could find more frogs nearby the bushes when there are students in the pond scaring the frogs. Perhaps students should walk transect across the length of the DNS property in order to survey the frog populations rather than focuses only around the pond.