Evolution
Our first project in the sophmore year of STEM dealt with evolution. In this unit we had a few different projects to work on over the course of a few weeks. These projects included: an evolution timeline, the Alu PCR lab, a hardware evolution cladogram. These projects helped us understand evolution and the changes that happen over time due to evolution.
Hardware Cladogram
This was our very first project so I was a little nervous of what was to come but it ended up being one of the easier ones. We were broken up into groups of three or four and we were asked to organize different pieces of hardware based on their attributes. We then made up a story about the evolution of the hardware pieces. Our cladogram shows the process that the hardware pieces went through and what qualities changed between them along the way.
Evolution Timeline
In the species evolution timeline, we chose partners and we decided on any living organism to make an evolutionary timeline on. We had to have five ancestors that the species evolved from. My partner and I decided on the gorilla. While doing this project I learned a lot more about the relation of gorillas and humans. I came out of this project with a much better understanding of gorillas and evolution.
Alu PCR Lab
In the Alu PCR lab, we learned about using pipets and how to conduct a lab. We learned many skills that we need that will be used throughout the course of the year. First off, we took our own DNA cells from the inside of our mouths using a saline solution. Then we used PCR to make copies of our cells. After duplicating the cells, we used electrophoresis to try to sequence our DNA. Although our experiment failed, I still was able to learn about Alu PCR.
Concepts
Evolution: Change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations.
Natural selection: The process of the environment allowing certain traits to become more dominant and killing off the disadvantageous traits.
Mutation: Small changes in DNA that cause a change in an organism.
Adaptation: A change made in a species to better suit its environment
Speciation: The development of a new species. Allopatric speciation and sympatric speciation.
Survival of the Fittest: The organism best suited for its environment will survive and live to pass down the trait that made it thrive.
Reflection
Over the course of this unit, I learned a lot about evolution and how it affected how we live now. One thing I learned is how to properly use a micro-pipet. One struggle that I had faced was staying on task thru the course of the project. We often found ourselves scrambling for time. When our group was on task, we worked well together to complete the project. I think that I have learned from this and will improve in the future.
Hardware Cladogram
This was our very first project so I was a little nervous of what was to come but it ended up being one of the easier ones. We were broken up into groups of three or four and we were asked to organize different pieces of hardware based on their attributes. We then made up a story about the evolution of the hardware pieces. Our cladogram shows the process that the hardware pieces went through and what qualities changed between them along the way.
Evolution Timeline
In the species evolution timeline, we chose partners and we decided on any living organism to make an evolutionary timeline on. We had to have five ancestors that the species evolved from. My partner and I decided on the gorilla. While doing this project I learned a lot more about the relation of gorillas and humans. I came out of this project with a much better understanding of gorillas and evolution.
Alu PCR Lab
In the Alu PCR lab, we learned about using pipets and how to conduct a lab. We learned many skills that we need that will be used throughout the course of the year. First off, we took our own DNA cells from the inside of our mouths using a saline solution. Then we used PCR to make copies of our cells. After duplicating the cells, we used electrophoresis to try to sequence our DNA. Although our experiment failed, I still was able to learn about Alu PCR.
Concepts
Evolution: Change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations.
Natural selection: The process of the environment allowing certain traits to become more dominant and killing off the disadvantageous traits.
Mutation: Small changes in DNA that cause a change in an organism.
Adaptation: A change made in a species to better suit its environment
Speciation: The development of a new species. Allopatric speciation and sympatric speciation.
Survival of the Fittest: The organism best suited for its environment will survive and live to pass down the trait that made it thrive.
Reflection
Over the course of this unit, I learned a lot about evolution and how it affected how we live now. One thing I learned is how to properly use a micro-pipet. One struggle that I had faced was staying on task thru the course of the project. We often found ourselves scrambling for time. When our group was on task, we worked well together to complete the project. I think that I have learned from this and will improve in the future.