Ap Bio Experiment Lab Report
The Effects of Environmental Stimuli on Animal Behavior
AP Biology
Emily Olsen
April 26, 2012
I. Introduction: The purpose of this lab is to test the effect certain stimuli has on the behavior of a terrestrial isopod. These bugs are more commonly known as pill bugs and potato bugs. The objective of this experiment is to determine which kinds of habitats potato bugs favor. Potato bugs have an innate behavior called taxis which will cause the animal to move away from a stimulus that is unwanted and towards a stimulus that is favored. Different stimuli which can cause taxis to occur are light, sound, moisture, heat, or chemicals. To narrow the possibilities, this specific trial will test whether potato bugs favor fresh water environments or salt water environments. If the potato bugs are given the choice between a fresh water habitat and a salt water habitat then they will move slower and stay on the fresh water side because their bodies are more acclimated to living in damp conditions where salt water would not be accessible.
II. Materials, Methods, Variables: These are the required materials to complete the experiment:
* Ten terrestrial isopods (potato bugs) * Choice chamber (two large petri dishes with an opening in each which are taped together to create a “bridge” for the potato bugs to cross from one dish to the other) * Petri dish lids with holes punched in to allow air movement * Filter paper * Scissors * Timer * Water * Water with 10% salt concentration * Pipettes * Pen and paper to label
The steps for this lab are as follows:
1) Obtain a choice chamber. 2) Line the bottom of the chamber with filter paper to make it easier for the potato bugs to crawl. 3) Place ten potato bugs in a choice chamber. 4) Observe the potato bugs’ behavior for five minutes noting what they do (movement, interactions with one another). Be sure to not disturb the potato bugs during the
AP Biology
Emily Olsen
April 26, 2012
I. Introduction: The purpose of this lab is to test the effect certain stimuli has on the behavior of a terrestrial isopod. These bugs are more commonly known as pill bugs and potato bugs. The objective of this experiment is to determine which kinds of habitats potato bugs favor. Potato bugs have an innate behavior called taxis which will cause the animal to move away from a stimulus that is unwanted and towards a stimulus that is favored. Different stimuli which can cause taxis to occur are light, sound, moisture, heat, or chemicals. To narrow the possibilities, this specific trial will test whether potato bugs favor fresh water environments or salt water environments. If the potato bugs are given the choice between a fresh water habitat and a salt water habitat then they will move slower and stay on the fresh water side because their bodies are more acclimated to living in damp conditions where salt water would not be accessible.
II. Materials, Methods, Variables: These are the required materials to complete the experiment:
* Ten terrestrial isopods (potato bugs) * Choice chamber (two large petri dishes with an opening in each which are taped together to create a “bridge” for the potato bugs to cross from one dish to the other) * Petri dish lids with holes punched in to allow air movement * Filter paper * Scissors * Timer * Water * Water with 10% salt concentration * Pipettes * Pen and paper to label
The steps for this lab are as follows:
1) Obtain a choice chamber. 2) Line the bottom of the chamber with filter paper to make it easier for the potato bugs to crawl. 3) Place ten potato bugs in a choice chamber. 4) Observe the potato bugs’ behavior for five minutes noting what they do (movement, interactions with one another). Be sure to not disturb the potato bugs during the