Question

Real Example: Since 1954, Japanese researchers have been keeping two lines of fruit flies separate. One population lives in normal conditions (with light during the day) but another has been kept in total darkness for almost 70 years! Researchers have compared various aspects of the flies and have seen changes over time.Experiment: Recently, scientists added a 50:50 combination Dark-fly AND normal fly individuals to a sample of breeding tubes. Half the tubes were kept in normal light/dark conditions, half in total darkness. Generations later, scientists used a DNA test to see what percentage of the descendants were of the “Dark-fly” type. Independent variable:xDependent variable(s):xExperimental group:xControl group:xWhat do you think happened: where did the Dark-fly type survive and reproduce the best?x

Answer 1

We have that the exercise asks for the following.

Independent variable: The independent variable is the presence or absence of light (light and dark conditions). This variable is considered independent since it is a consideration of the scientists, who decide either to bring or not the light. In other words, is an independent measure due to is related to the design of the experiment.

Dependent variable: The dependent variable is the variation of DNA among the offspring of the parents disposed of in those breeding tubes.

Experimental group: The experimental group is the combination of 50:50 dark fly disposed in breeding tubes under different light conditions (light/dark).

Control group: The control group is the original population of Dark-flies, which has been bred for almost 70 years.