How Do Environmental Changes Affect A Population Lab
How Do Environmental Changes Affect A Population?
Summer Teeters
BIO/101
February 23, 2015
Heather Browning
How Do Environmental Changes Affect A Population?
1. What role does genetics play in the variation seen in this leafhopper population? Hint: How does genetics allow for variation? When it comes to the variation seen in the leafhopper population, there are two traits that are determined by genetics. Those traits are the color of the leafhoppers and their size. Natural selection would be if the environment favors either color or the size of a leafhopper over the other.
2. Note the results from the 20th generation under global warming conditions. Before continuing with the 30th generation, predict the population composition of the 30th generation. Hint: Include color and size. One possible prediction of the composition of the 30th generation of leafhoppers is that most, if not all of the 30th generation will be smaller in size and darker in color.
3. What happened to the proportion of each type of leafhopper in subsequent generations under global warming conditions? Suggest a reason why the traits of the 30th generation make this population better adapted to its altered environment. Under global warming conditions, the size of the leafhopper became smaller over 30 generations (University of Phoenix, 2015). The decreased body size may have been a significant advantage in these warmer temperatures since the smaller body size helps them to regulate their body temperatures more easily.
4. Why would you expect a change in predators to cause a difference in the types of leafhoppers being selected? A new predator in the area might cause a difference in the size and the color of future generations of leafhoppers due to what the predator prefers in its diet along with possible changes in the hunting strategies of a new predator. A predator might prefer a certain size or color.
5. Note the differences between the parental, 10th,
Summer Teeters
BIO/101
February 23, 2015
Heather Browning
How Do Environmental Changes Affect A Population?
1. What role does genetics play in the variation seen in this leafhopper population? Hint: How does genetics allow for variation? When it comes to the variation seen in the leafhopper population, there are two traits that are determined by genetics. Those traits are the color of the leafhoppers and their size. Natural selection would be if the environment favors either color or the size of a leafhopper over the other.
2. Note the results from the 20th generation under global warming conditions. Before continuing with the 30th generation, predict the population composition of the 30th generation. Hint: Include color and size. One possible prediction of the composition of the 30th generation of leafhoppers is that most, if not all of the 30th generation will be smaller in size and darker in color.
3. What happened to the proportion of each type of leafhopper in subsequent generations under global warming conditions? Suggest a reason why the traits of the 30th generation make this population better adapted to its altered environment. Under global warming conditions, the size of the leafhopper became smaller over 30 generations (University of Phoenix, 2015). The decreased body size may have been a significant advantage in these warmer temperatures since the smaller body size helps them to regulate their body temperatures more easily.
4. Why would you expect a change in predators to cause a difference in the types of leafhoppers being selected? A new predator in the area might cause a difference in the size and the color of future generations of leafhoppers due to what the predator prefers in its diet along with possible changes in the hunting strategies of a new predator. A predator might prefer a certain size or color.
5. Note the differences between the parental, 10th,
References: University of Phoenix. (2015). Process of science: How do environmental changes affect a population? [Multimedia]. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, BIO101 - Principles of Biology website.