Question

Evolution and Natural Selection Lab Report

Instructions: In the Natural Selection lab you will explore adaptations that help organisms survive best in a particular habitat. You will observe how changing a factor in the environment will impact the organisms that live there over time. Record your observations in the lab report below. You will submit your completed report.
________________________________________
Name and Title
Include your name, instructor's name, date, and name of lab.

Objective(s)
In your own words, what was the purpose of this lab?

Hypothesis

In this section, please include the if/then statements you developed during your lab activity. These statements reflect your predicted outcomes for the investigations. You will investigate two different versions of the tree environment as it changes over time: light-colored bark and dark-colored bark. Be sure to list your hypothesis for each environment below.
Example: If I investigate the light-colored bark environment, then I will observe an increase in the light-colored peppered moths over time.
Hypothesis for the light-colored bark:
Hypothesis for the dark-colored bark:

Procedure
Please be sure to identify the test variable (independent variable), and outcome variable (dependent variable), for this experiment.

Test variable (independent variable):

Outcome variable (dependent variable):

Reminder: The test variable is the item that is changing in this investigation. The outcome variable is the item that you are measuring in this investigation.
The procedures are listed in your virtual lab. You do not need to repeat them here.
Data

You will investigate both environments. Record your data for each trial of that environment in the data charts below.
Pre-industrial Revolution Bark (Light-colored)
Generation Rate of Survival for Light-colored Peppered Moths Rate of Survival for Dark-colored Peppered Moths
1
2
3
4
5

Post-Industrial Revolution Bark (Dark-colored)
Generation Rate of Survival for Light-colored Peppered Moths Rate of Survival for Dark-colored Peppered Moths
1
2
3
4
5

Conclusion
Your conclusion will include a summary of the lab results and an interpretation of the results. Please write in complete sentences.
1. What caused the tree bark to become darker?
2. In the lab simulation, which color peppered moth was able to have the higher rate of survival on the light bark?
3. In the lab simulation, which color peppered moth was able to have the highest rate of survival on the dark bark?
4. During the Industrial Revolution, explain what caused the population of light-colored peppered moths to decrease and the population of dark-colored peppered moths to increase over time. Be sure to include how the ability to survive and reproduce impacts the process of natural selection.
5. Predict which color peppered moth would have a better chance of survival in your neighborhood? Explain why.

Answer 1

Objective(s):

The purpose of this lab is to explore adaptations that help organisms survive in a specific habitat. By changing a factor in the environment, we will observe how it impacts the organisms over time.

Hypothesis:

For the light-colored bark environment:

If I investigate the light-colored bark environment, then I will observe an increase in the light-colored peppered moths over time.

For the dark-colored bark environment:

If I investigate the dark-colored bark environment, then I will observe an increase in the dark-colored peppered moths over time.

Procedure:

Test variable (independent variable): The color of the tree bark (light-colored or dark-colored).

Outcome variable (dependent variable): Rate of survival for the light-colored and dark-colored peppered moths.

Data:

Pre-industrial Revolution Bark (Light-colored)

Generation Rate of Survival for Light-colored Peppered Moths Rate of Survival for Dark-colored Peppered Moths

1

2

3

4

5

Post-Industrial Revolution Bark (Dark-colored)

Generation Rate of Survival for Light-colored Peppered Moths Rate of Survival for Dark-colored Peppered Moths

1

2

3

4

5

Conclusion:

1. The tree bark became darker due to pollution and soot during the Industrial Revolution.

2. In the lab simulation, the light-colored peppered moth was able to have a higher rate of survival on the light bark.

3. In the lab simulation, the dark-colored peppered moth was able to have the highest rate of survival on the dark bark.

4. During the Industrial Revolution, the population of light-colored peppered moths decreased due to predation by birds, as they were more easily spotted on the darkened tree bark. At the same time, the population of dark-colored peppered moths increased because they were better camouflaged on the darkened bark. This process of natural selection favored the survival and reproduction of the dark-colored moths.

5. In your neighborhood, the color of the peppered moth that would have a better chance of survival would depend on the environment. If your neighborhood has more light-colored tree bark, the light-colored peppered moth would have a better chance of survival due to its better camouflage. On the other hand, if your neighborhood has more dark-colored tree bark, the dark-colored peppered moth would have a better chance of survival. The specific environment will determine which color is more advantageous for survival.

Remember to always support your answers with relevant details and explanations.

Step-by-step explanation: