Natural Selection Virtual Lab Report Instructions: As you complete each slide of the Natural Selection Virtual Lab Activity, please fill in this lab report with the appropriate information and data. Title: Include your name, instructor’s name, and the name of the lab Andrea Soto, Mrs. Brown, Evolutionary Relationships Objective(s): What is the purpose of the lab The goal of this lab is to investigate the scientific theory of evolution by identifying and describing how genetic variation and environmental variables contribute to the development of species through natural selection and diversity. Hypotheses (there are 2): Include the if/then statement you developed during the virtual lab. The white rabbit will be better disguised in a brighter setting than it would be in a dark environment. Variables: Independent: rabbit Dependent: environment Controlled: predatory birds Materials: 1. The Natural Selection Virtual Lab Activity 2. Natural Selection Virtual Lab Report Procedures: The procedures are listed in Natural Selection Virtual Lab Activity. You do not need to include them here. Data and Observations: Table 1: Rabbits in the light-colored environment Generation Rate of Survival for White Rabbits Rate of Survival for Brown Rabbits 1 10 10 2 15 20 3 20 25 4 25 27 5 30 32 Table 2: Rabbits in the dark-colored environment Generation Rate of Survival for White Rabbits Rate of Survival for Brown Rabbits 1 7 3 2 10 5 3 15 12 4 20 13 5 25 17 Data Analysis: Part 1: In your data tables, you recorded the percentage of the rate of survival for both the white and brown rabbit in both the light-colored and the dark-colored environments. Part 2: Using your percentages in part 1, create a graph that represents the rate of survival for the white and brown rabbits in each type of environment. Light-colored environment 5 4 3 2 1 0 5 10 15 20 white 25 30 35 brown Dark-colored Environment 5 4 3 2 1 0 5 10 15 white 20 brown 25 30 Insert chart [Hint: don’t forget to consider the relationship between your data and the type of graph to best represent your data. A bar graph would be the best option to analyze this data.] Conclusion: Be sure to answer the following reflection questions in the conclusion of your lab report: Were your hypotheses correct or incorrect? Why or why not? Using Table 1, which color rabbit had the higher rate of survival in the light-colored (white) environment? Explain why this occurred. Using Table 2, which color rabbit had the higher rate of survival in the dark-colored (brown) environment? Explain why this occurred. What color rabbit seemed to camouflage the best in this snow habitat, and why? In conclusion, my guess about white rabbits surviving better in a bright environment than in a dark environment was true. The white rabbit had a greater survival rate in the bright environment than the brown rabbit because it has better camo, while the brown brown rabbits had a higher survival rate in the dark environment because they have better camo and can blend in. Questions: Using what you have learned from the lesson and the virtual lab activity, answer the following questions in complete sentences. 1. How did the colors of each type of prey affect its population size over time? The color benefitted their numbers since they were concealed from predators and so their population size did not reduce if no one died; instead, it grew when new babies arrived. The white rabbit performed better in the winter because it can blend in better than the brown rabbit, but the brown rabbit performed better in the summer because it could mix in better and so protect them from predators. The white rabbits, on the other hand, had considerable difficulty concealing in order to live. 2. How do you predict the data would change if you continued? Explain your answer. I think the rates would extend to a higher number if continued as my reasoning was very well self-explanatory due to the color of their fur affecting their protection from covering and hiding themselves from any harm. 3. What traits could help a predator be more "fit" to survive in each environment? Be specific. A predator would be more fit if he could blend in with the surroundings, made minimal noise, had good hearing, and could move quickly. Not just color, but also sharp teeth, rough skin, or claws to combat predators, might affect an individual's survival. 4. Describe other adaptations besides color that could affect an individual's survival. Not just color, but also sharp teeth, rough skin, or claws to combat predators, might affect an individual's survival. 5. Explain what will happen if there are not enough resources to support the individuals in a species. When resources are few, the number of individuals in a population is constrained. Limiting factors are resources that limit population growth. Limiting forces keep the population from ballooning out of control. The ecology has reached its carrying capacity when population stops rising. 6. This experiment tested natural selection. What could be another possible mechanism of evolution for the rabbits to evolve? Be specific. In this situation, genetic drift resulted in the fixation of the white coat color allele in the population. A sudden fall in population size can cause genetic drift and, as a result, random fixation of alleles in populations.