1. Define natural selection in your own words.
Natural selection is the process by which organisms with traits that provide a survival or
reproductive advantage in a given environment are more likely to survive and pass on
those traits to their offspring, leading to evolutionary changes over generations.
2. For each environment, which color insects (M&Ms) had the greatest fitness
(survived) and which ones were victims of predation?
o Environment A: The insects that blended well with the original fabric color had
the greatest fitness. The most visible insects were preyed upon more frequently.
1. Environment B: After the environmental change, the colors that best matched the new
background had greater survival rates, while the previously well-camouflaged insects
experien Hypothesis
If isopods prefer moist environments, then they will exhibit taxis by moving towards the
wet chamber and spending more time there compared to the dry chamber.
2. One pager procedure – draw/illustrate not wordy.
3. Data table
3. ced h Revisit your hypothesis from the beginning of this lab. Did you fail to reject
your hypothesis or reject your hypothesis? Explain your answer below.
The data either supported or refuted the original hypothesis, depending on the results. If
predictions about survival rates were correct, the hypothesis was not rejected. If survival
patterns did not match expectations, the hypothesis was rejected based on observed data
trends.
4. Identify two other adaptations besides color that would increase the survival rate of
the insects.
igher predation rates.
Post Lab Analysis:
.) Animal behavior, specifically the responses of isopods to environmental stimuli, can
provide insights into innate and learned behaviors. This experiment examines the taxis and
kinesis responses of isopods when exposed to moist and dry conditions. By observing
isopods in a controlled environment, we aim to determine whether they exhibit taxis (directed
movement) or kinesis (random movement) in response to moisture levels. Our results will
help us understand the behavioral adaptations of these terrestrial crustaceans
