Description:
In this unit, we looked at the process of evolution and how it relates to organisms today. We did this through three separate projects: making a cladogram of hardware samples, creating a timeline of a selected organism, and forming a lab report about PCR and gel electrophoresis.
Concepts:
Evolution: The process of a species changing overtime
Natural selection: The most well adapted organism has an advantage and passes on its genes until it becomes that dominant change. Broken down into four stages: mutation, competition, survival, and reproduction.
Mutation: Small changes in DNA that cause a positive, neutral, or negative change.
Adaptation: A positive mutation, spread through natural selection
Speciation: The development of a new species. Happens primarily two ways of isolation: allopatric speciation and sympatric speciation.
Allopatric speciation: The separation and development of new species though a physical divide such as a mountain forming or oceans rising to make an island.
Sympatric speciation: The separation and development of new species through a behavior divide such as becoming nocturnal or a change in mating behaviors.
Taxonomy: The study of evolution and classification of organisms. Taxonomical levels are domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. All are further subdivisions of the last with a species being the largest group of organisms that can mate and produce fertile offspring.
Projects:
Hardware Cladogram Project:
In this project, we were given a small contain of assorted hardware, such as nuts, bolts, washers, screws, etc., and had to classify them and form a cladogram for them as if they were fossils of new organisms just discovered. Below is picture of said cladogram and the report constructed about our "organisms" and the advantages of each adaptation.
In this unit, we looked at the process of evolution and how it relates to organisms today. We did this through three separate projects: making a cladogram of hardware samples, creating a timeline of a selected organism, and forming a lab report about PCR and gel electrophoresis.
Concepts:
Evolution: The process of a species changing overtime
Natural selection: The most well adapted organism has an advantage and passes on its genes until it becomes that dominant change. Broken down into four stages: mutation, competition, survival, and reproduction.
Mutation: Small changes in DNA that cause a positive, neutral, or negative change.
Adaptation: A positive mutation, spread through natural selection
Speciation: The development of a new species. Happens primarily two ways of isolation: allopatric speciation and sympatric speciation.
Allopatric speciation: The separation and development of new species though a physical divide such as a mountain forming or oceans rising to make an island.
Sympatric speciation: The separation and development of new species through a behavior divide such as becoming nocturnal or a change in mating behaviors.
Taxonomy: The study of evolution and classification of organisms. Taxonomical levels are domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. All are further subdivisions of the last with a species being the largest group of organisms that can mate and produce fertile offspring.
Projects:
Hardware Cladogram Project:
In this project, we were given a small contain of assorted hardware, such as nuts, bolts, washers, screws, etc., and had to classify them and form a cladogram for them as if they were fossils of new organisms just discovered. Below is picture of said cladogram and the report constructed about our "organisms" and the advantages of each adaptation.
PCR Lab:
For the next project, we did a PCR and gel electrophoresis lab to show the Alu repeats in our genome. Below is the lab report written after the completion of the lab.
For the next project, we did a PCR and gel electrophoresis lab to show the Alu repeats in our genome. Below is the lab report written after the completion of the lab.
Species Timeline Project:
Finally for this unit, we constructed an evolutionary history of a species that we selected. In my case, that species was the freshwater crocodile. Below is the species timeline presentation formed about the aforementioned species.
Finally for this unit, we constructed an evolutionary history of a species that we selected. In my case, that species was the freshwater crocodile. Below is the species timeline presentation formed about the aforementioned species.
Reflection:
Parts of this project could have been better. My empathy on this project was overall poor. Some ideas others were of unsatisfactory quality from my perspective and I reacted by shooting said ideas down. I shall improve this by allowing other ideas to be considered before shooting them down. Additionally, my focus on purely working was not complete. During a slower workday, I would get distracted and work with a much lower efficiency. I will try to improve this through focus.
Though there were some negatives, this project was overall positive. Firstly, I worked well with most of my team members. When the need to collaborate arose, I was able to produce high quality work within or less than the allotted time. Secondly, I organized my group well. When tasked with a certain assignment, I was able to organize my group to have efficiency at a maximum.
Parts of this project could have been better. My empathy on this project was overall poor. Some ideas others were of unsatisfactory quality from my perspective and I reacted by shooting said ideas down. I shall improve this by allowing other ideas to be considered before shooting them down. Additionally, my focus on purely working was not complete. During a slower workday, I would get distracted and work with a much lower efficiency. I will try to improve this through focus.
Though there were some negatives, this project was overall positive. Firstly, I worked well with most of my team members. When the need to collaborate arose, I was able to produce high quality work within or less than the allotted time. Secondly, I organized my group well. When tasked with a certain assignment, I was able to organize my group to have efficiency at a maximum.