<p class='jove_content'><strong>Mohammed R. Milad</strong> is supported by NIMH grant R01 MH097880 and institutional funds from the Department of Psychiatry at MGH.</p>

<p class="jove_content">NOTE: All procedures in this protocol have been approved by the Subcommittee on Research Animal Care, which serves as the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) for the Massachusetts General Hospital, and are in compliance with the National Institutes of Health guidelines.</p>
<p class="jove_title">1. Animal Housing and Handling Procedure</p>
<ol>
	<li>Upon arrival, house adult Sprague Dawley female rats about 8-10 weeks of age (weighing 200-225 g) in groups of 3-4 inch plastic bins with woodchip bedding. Maintain them on a diet of ad libitum access to chow and water and a 12 hr light/dark cycle. Leave rats to acclimate to the housing conditions and animal facility for a minimum of 1 week.<br />
	NOTE: All procedures in this manuscript are conducted during the light cycle.</li>
	<li>Following this acclimation period, handle all animals for 5 min each for 2-3 days. Properly pick up the rats one at a time (supported by the torso and not by the tail), hold them securely, and pet them during this time. Handle animals that appear more stressed, jumpy, or anxious for longer periods of time. Do this to minimize handling stress, which could affect the following steps in this protocol.<br />
	NOTE: The number of days and amount of time handling the animals can vary between different labs; however, these should be consistent between experiments within the same lab.</li>
</ol>
<p class="jove_title">2. Monitoring the Estrous Cycle: Vaginal Swab Smearing and Staining Procedure</p>
<ol>
	<li>Make 0.9% saline solution (sodium chloride dissolved in distilled water). Moisten a cotton-tipped applicator in this solution. Blot the tip using a paper towel to avoid oversaturation, which could lead to inadequate sample collection or loss of cells. Holding the tail upward away from the vaginal opening, gently insert the cotton tip into the vaginal canal and roll around the walls to capture loose vaginal cells.</li>
	<li>If the animal urinates on the cotton tip, replace with a new one, as urine contamination will make it difficult for phase identification. Be extremely careful as to not cause distress to the animal during this procedure because exposure to stress will disrupt the estrous cycle. When swabbing, aim to achieve a swift insertion and withdrawal that is not too deep as to minimize extra stimulation to the cervix, which can induce pseudopregnancy.<br />
	NOTE: Pseudopregnancy can be identified as an acyclic estrous cycle that typically lasts for about 12 days, <em>i.e.</em> consecutive days of diestrus<sup>25</sup>.</li>
	<li>Carefully remove the applicator tip and roll it onto a pre-labeled microscope slide. Avoid pressing down too hard as too much fluid on the slide can make phase identification difficult once dry.<br />
	NOTE: One slide can contain multiple days for each animal, although this can be done according to individual preferences.</li>
	<li>Make sure the sample transfers onto the slide. Collect samples for several consecutive days on one slide to be able to better track and identify daily estrous phases changes.<br />
	NOTE: If possible, it is also ideal if the people collecting samples remain the same for all animals.</li>
	<li>Once the slide is dry, begin the staining protocol for phase identification. Using the staining kit (see Table of Materials), immerse slides 10 times in the fixative (light blue), 10 times in stain solution (pink), and 5 times in counterstain solution (purple). Rinse slides gently under running water. Let slides completely air dry before viewing under microscope.<br />
	NOTE: The typically 4-5 day long estrous cycle consists of (in this order): estrus (E), metestrus (M), diestrus (D), and proestrus (P)<sup>26</sup>. Estrus is characterized by blue, cornified cells, metestrus by leukocytes and a combination of cornified and nucleated cells, diestrus is similar to metestrus in presence of cell types except they are very sparse, and proestrus by purple-stained aggregates of nucleated cells (<strong>Figure 1</strong>). There are various staining procedures, in addition to those described above, that are equally effective for vaginal smear cytology.</li>
	<li>Collect samples for at least two complete cycles (~8-10 days) in order to monitor the phases accurately prior to experimentation. Be consistent with the time of day the samples are taken. Collect vaginal smear samples daily throughout and until the end of the experiment.</li>
</ol>
<p class="jove_title">3. Pre-exposure</p>
<ol>
	<li>Prior to the initiation of the experiment, pre-expose the animals to the conditioning chambers allow the animals to acclimate to the context (conditioning chambers) before any behavioral testing.
	<ol>
		<li>Pre-expose the females to the conditioning chambers (located in sound-attenuating boxes) with the house lights on for 20-30 min per day for 3 days prior to any experimentation. Assign the box they are pre-exposed to as their chamber for the study. Thoroughly clean the boxes (walls and trays) between sessions and animals to remove odors since they can affect behavior and estrous cycle.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
<p class="jove_title">4. Day 1: Habituation/Fear Conditioning</p>
<ol>
	<li>Once the animals have been verified to be in the estrus phase of their estrous cycles, begin the habituation/conditioning phase of the 3-day experiment.
	<ol>
		<li>Take pre-tone baseline measures of freezing prior to the first tone conditioned stimulus(CS) presentations on each day of the experiment. Do this by acquiring percent freezing scores(calculated by dividing the seconds spent immobile by the duration of trial, multiplied by 100) during the stimulus-absent time interval at the beginning of the first CS-alone trial before the CS onset.<br />
		NOTE: These measures can be used to assess and compare baseline freezing levels with those during habituation, conditioning, extinction, and recall.</li>
		<li>To conduct extinction training during the metestrus phase, condition the rats in their last day of estrus. Swab and identify estrous phase (step 2) each day before starting the experimental protocol (conditioning/extinction/recall). As the estrus phase may last longer than one day, use cycle history to predict length of phases to determine when the animals are ready to begin training.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>In the conditioning chambers, connect the foot-shock grid floor to an electric stimulation generator. Use a stimulation level of 0.5-0.6 mA as the unconditioned stimulus (US). Use a 4 kHz, 80 dB tone as the conditioned stimulus (CS).<br />
	NOTE: These parameters may vary across laboratories and may be modified for optimal conditioning.
	<ol>
		<li>If the freezing analysis program requires visual cues (as opposed to temporal), co-activate an LED light with the tone. Position the light on the outside of the operant chamber, within the video frame. At the start of each trial, activate the LED light and keep it illuminated until the end of the trial.<br />
		NOTE: This light is not visible by the animal and only serves as a marker for the initiation and end of the trial within the recorded video files (to be used to measure freezing behavior).</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Place the animals into the conditioning chambers for 5 CS-alone trials of habituation. Immediately following the habituation session, perform 7 paired CS-US trials of fear conditioning. Ensure that the CS tone lasts for 30 sec and coterminates with the 0.5 sec US shock. Run trials in all sessions (habituation, conditioning, extinction, and recall) with a variable intertrial interval averaging 3 minutes.</li>
	<li>At the end of the conditioning session, return the animals to their home cages and to the animal facility until the next day.</li>
</ol>
<p class="jove_title">5. Day 2: Estradiol Preparation</p>
<ol>
	<li>Swab and identify the estrous phase for all animals that underwent Day 1 of this protocol. Prepare estradiol (also known as E2, 17beta-estradiol, or beta-estradiol) for a 15 &#956;g/kg dose subcutaneous injection using sesame oil or 0.9% saline as vehicle.</li>
	<li>To calculate the amount of estradiol to prepare for injections, use the body weights of all animals, which were measured and recorded when they were conditioned on Day 1 of this protocol.</li>
	<li>Make calculations to standardize the administered volume of estradiol (<em>i.e.</em> 0.2 ml) per rat. Since estradiol is difficult to dissolve due to its water insolubility and requires a large volume of solvent for the small dose, prepare a stock solution by mixing estradiol in sesame oil over heat until dissolved. The solution can then be passed through a 0.22 &#956;m filter to remove contaminants. For example, add a calculated volume of a 3,000 &#956;g estradiol/1 ml sesame oil stock solution to the total needed volume of sesame oil in order to achieve a 15 &#956;g/kg dose in a 0.2 ml injection volume per animal.<br />
	NOTE: Alternatively, use other forms of estrogen that are water-soluble and easier to dissolve.</li>
</ol>
<p class="jove_title">6. Day 2: Estradiol Administration/Extinction Training</p>
<ol>
	<li>Administer the estradiol subcutaneously. Lift the loose skin between the scapula by the neck in a gentle pinch and insert the syringe needle into the triangle that is formed by the skin folds.</li>
	<li>30 minutes following subcutaneous injections of estradiol, place the animals in the conditioning chambers again and begin extinction training. In this extinction session, perform 20 CS-alone trials, with each trial consisting of a 30 sec, 4 kHz, 80 dB tone, presented at a variable intertrial interval averaging 3 min.<br />
	NOTE: The effect of estradiol on recall occurs when estradiol is administered prior to extinction training or immediately after extinction. The effect is not observed 4 hr post-extinction, so it is recommended to inject close in time to the beginning or end of the training session<sup>15</sup>.</li>
</ol>
<p class="jove_title">7. Day 3: Extinction Recall</p>
<ol>
	<li>24 hr after the extinction training, swab the animals that completed Day 1 and 2 of this protocol.</li>
	<li>Place the animals into their assigned conditioning chambers (same as Day 1 and 2). Begin the extinction recall session by presenting 3 CS-alone trials (the three trials of extinction recall), which consists of only 3.80 dB CS-alone trials with intertrial intervals similar to the 20 trials administered for extinction training as described in step 6.2.</li>
	<li>Upon completion of the recall session, return the animals to their home cages.</li>
</ol>
<p class="jove_title">8. Data Analysis</p>
<ol>
	<li>Acquire behavioral data through video and analyze them using computer software.<br />
	NOTE: Freezing scores can also be manually counted by an experimenter that is blind to the drug treatment by timing freezing bouts during the CS presentation of each trial, expressed as percentage of the time spent freezing during the tone. Freezing is defined by complete lack of movement with the exception of breathing during the 30 sec CS-US trials. Calculate percent freezing by dividing the seconds spent freezing (immobile) by 30 seconds (duration of trial) multiplied by 100.</li>
</ol>

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<p class="jove_content">The authors of this manuscript have no competing financial interests or other conflicts of interest to disclose.</p>

<p class="jove_content">Fear extinction has been studied extensively in male rats with the neural mechanisms mediating conditioned fear extinction identified and assessed under various manipulations. Relatively few studies have examined female rats or the role of gonadal hormones in fear extinction. To specifically study the effects of estrogen on fear extinction, naturally cycling female rats are subjected to a three-day behavioral paradigm. This procedure consists of habituation/conditioning, extinction, and extinction recall phases. Using th...

<p class="jove_content">Inherent sex differences are observed across various cognitive behaviors and learning paradigms in both humans and rodents. For example, it has been reported that women generally have stronger verbal and detail-oriented abilities, whereas men have better spatial abilities<sup>1-3</sup>. These sex differences may be due in part to the influence of gonadal hormones. High estradiol levels improve performance on tasks in which women are better, but worsen performance on tasks that men typically do well<sup>4-6</sup>. Although this evidence is compelling, the limited ability to completely control experimental environments in human studies makes it difficult to determine if these effects on behavior can be attributed specifically to hormones. Animal studies, in contrast, allow for fully controlled circumstances.</p>
<p class="jove_content">Although the basic neural mechanisms of fear extinction have been identified and are well studied in males, it is unclear whether these systems are the same in females or how they change across the estrous cycle. Fear conditioning and extinction are widely used behavioral paradigms in rodents and humans to conduct studies related to anxiety disorders. Given that women have a higher risk for anxiety disorders as well as higher symptom duration and severity<sup>7-13</sup>, it is critical to include females in these studies. The underrepresentation of females in this research may be attributed to the challenges of estrous phase monitoring and accounting for the behavioral effects of sex hormones. Laboratories that do examine females in this regard encounter issues that often go unreported or are not described in the methods for their studies.</p>
<p class="jove_content">Emerging evidence in rodents suggests that sex differences in fear extinction are modulated by gonadal hormones<sup>14-18</sup>. In fear conditioning, animals are trained to fear a particular stimulus. After a number of unreinforced presentations of the stimulus, the animals learn not to fear the cue, a process called extinction. How well the animal learns and consolidates the memory of learning this task can be observed during an extinction recall test given some time after the extinction training. Less fear expression during extinction recall demonstrates good extinction memory consolidation. Recent findings from our laboratory suggest that estrogen can modulate the consolidation of fear extinction memory and improve extinction recall. Specifically, female rats that are extinguished in proestrus, the phase of the estrous cycle during which circulating estrogen levels peak, exhibit enhanced retention of extinction memory. In contrast, females that are extinguished in the low-estrogen metestrus phase display relatively poor extinction recall, which can be improved with exogenous estradiol administration prior to or immediately after extinction training<sup>15,16</sup>. The neural mechanisms of extinction memory consolidation (including the role of gonadal hormones) in females are not clear.</p>
<p class="jove_content">In laboratory animals, the role of hormones can be investigated using invasive surgical removal procedures such as castration and ovariectomy. Subsequent to recovery from surgery, gonadal hormones are often exogenously manipulated during the performance of a behavioral task<sup>19</sup>. This approach has provided critical information about sex hormones and is useful because it allows for well-controlled manipulations of gonadal hormones (in terms of timing and dose)<sup>20-23</sup>. This approach, however, does not assess the influence of the naturally occurring fluctuations that occur across the estrous cycle nor do they represent &#8220;normal&#8221; animals, thereby limiting the translational potential to human studies. It has been well-documented that female sex hormone levels peak and decline at specific phases of the estrous cycle, and estrogen receptor expression changes within the cycle, and after ovariectomy<sup>24</sup>. Thus, there is a need to conduct studies on females with intact gonads and refine experimental designs to reliably study the effects that high and low estrogen states may have on females throughout their lifespan.</p>
<p class="jove_content">This protocol focuses on the effect of estrogen on the neurobiological systems involved in fear extinction. It describes how to: 1) carefully monitor the estrous cycle, 2) prepare effective doses of estradiol for systemic administration, and 3) follow a behavioral paradigm that includes fear conditioning, extinction, and recall in naturally cycling female rats. This protocol can be modified with other pharmacological manipulations and cellular and molecular tools to aid studies to better understand sex differences that are observed in conditioned fear extinction behavior. Note that the procedures described below are those utilized within our laboratory, and there exist a number of variations of these procedures in the literature.</p>

<table><tbody><tr><td>Fear conditioning chamber</td><td>Coulbourn Instruments</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Graphic State</td><td>Coulbourn Instruments</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Sound-attenuating box</td><td>Med Associates, Inc.</td><td>NIR-022MD</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Estradiol</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>E1024</td><td>In sesame oil for subcutaneous injection</td></tr><tr><td>Sesame oil</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>S3547-250ML</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Freezescan</td><td>Cleversys, Inc.</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Dip quick stain</td><td>Jorgensen Laboratories, Inc.</td><td>J0322A1, J0322A2, J0322A3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Cotton-tipped applicators</td><td>Fisher Scientific</td><td>23-400-114</td><td>6-inch, sterile</td></tr><tr><td>0.9% saline</td><td>LabChem, Inc.</td><td>LC23460-2</td><td>Sodium chloride w/v</td></tr><tr><td>Selectfrost microscope slides</td><td>Fisher Scientific</td><td>12-550-003</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Virex II 256</td><td>Diversey, Inc.</td><td>5019317</td><td>Dilute 1:256 with water</td></tr><tr><td>Luer-Lok Tip 1ml Syringes</td><td>Becton Dickinson</td><td>309628</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Hypodermic disposable needles</td><td>Exelint International, Co.</td><td>26402</td><td>26-gauge</td></tr></tbody></table>

protocol for studying extinction of conditioned fear in naturally cycling female rats

<p class="jove_content">Extinction of conditioned fear has been extensively studied in male rodents. Recently, there have been an increasing number of studies indicating that neural mechanisms for certain behavioral tasks and response behaviors are different in females and males. Using females in research studies can represent a challenge because of the variation of gonadal hormones during their estrous cycle. This protocol describes well-established procedures that are useful in investigating the role of estrogen in fear extinction memory consolidation in female rats. Phase of the estrous cycle and exogenous estrogen administration prior to extinction training can influence extinction recall 24 hr later. The vaginal swabbing technique for estrous phase identification described here aids the examination and manipulation of naturally cycling gonadal hormones. The use of this basic rodent model may further delineate the mechanisms by which estrogen can modulate fear extinction memory in females.</p>

<p class="jove_content">In this fear extinction recall protocol, percent freezing was measured as an indicator of fear. Animals that extinguished well and retained the memory of the extinction training exhibited low fear on the last day of the behavioral testing during extinction recall. Male and female rats do not significantly differ in conditioned fear expression during the conditioning, extinction, and recall phases (<strong>Figure 2</strong>). However, a sex difference becomes evident when the animals are analyzed separately as high- and l...

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Protocol for Studying Extinction of Conditioned Fear in Naturally Cycling Female Rats

<p class='jove_content'>Gonadal hormones such as estrogen modulate memory formation in a number of experimental paradigms including fear extinction memory. This protocol describes a set of methods for investigating the influence of gonadal hormones specifically during extinction in naturally cycling females, including estrous cycle monitoring and exogenous estrogen administration.</p>

Extinction of conditioned fear has been extensively studied in male rodents. Recently, there have been an increasing number of studies indicating that ...

protocol-for-studying-extinction-conditioned-fear-naturally-cycling

Research

JoVE Journal

Behavior

13.3K Views.  Massachusetts General Hospital. Gonadal hormones such as estrogen modulate memory formation in a number of experimental paradigms including fear extinction memory. This protocol describes a set of methods for investigating the influence of gonadal hormones specifically during extinction in naturally cycling females, including estrous cycle monitoring and exogenous estrogen administration.

Video: Protocol for Studying Extinction of Conditioned Fear in Naturally Cycling Female Rats

Scientific Method

<p>The scientific method is used to solve problems and explain phenomena. The development of the scientific method coincided with changes in philosophy underpinning scientific discovery, radically transforming the views of society about nature. During the European Renaissance, individuals such as Francis Bacon, Galileo, and Isaac Newton formalized the concept of the scientific method and put it into practice. Although the scientific method has been revised since its early conceptions, much of the framework and philosophy remains in practice today.</p>
<h4>Step 1: The Observation and Question</h4>
<p>Prior to investigation, a scientist must define the question to be addressed. This crucial first step in the scientific process involves observing some natural phenomena of interest. This observation should then lead to a number of questions about the phenomena. This stage frequently requires background research necessary to understand the subject matter and past work on similar ideas. Reviewing and evaluating previous research allows scientists to refine their questions to more accurately address gaps in scientific knowledge. Defining a research question and understanding relevant prior research will influence how the scientific method is applied, making it an important first step in the research process.</p>
<p>An everyday example: You are trying to get to school or work and your car won&#8217;t start. The thought process that most people go through in that situation clearly mirrors the official scientific method (after you are finished getting upset). First, you make an observation: my car won&#8217;t start! The question that follows: why isn&#8217;t it working?</p>
<h4>Step 2: The Hypothesis</h4>
<p>The next step is making a hypothesis, based on prior knowledge. A hypothesis is an &#8220;uncertain explanation&#8221; or an unproven conjecture that seeks to explain some phenomenon based on knowledge obtained while executing subsequent experiments or observations. Generally, scientists develop multiple hypotheses to address their questions and test them systematically.</p>
<p>All hypotheses must meet certain criteria for the scientific process to work. First, a hypothesis must be testable and falsifiable. This aspect of the hypothesis is critical and of much greater importance than the hypothesis being correct. A testable hypothesis is one that generates testable predictions, addressed through observations or experiments. A falsifiable hypothesis is one that, through observation of conflicting outcomes, can be proven wrong. This allows investigators to gain more confidence over time, not by accumulating evidence showing that a hypothesis is correct, but rather by showing that situations that could establish its falsity do not occur.</p>
<p>Hypotheses come in two forms: null hypotheses and alternative hypotheses. The null hypothesis is tested against the alternative hypothesis and reflects that there will be no observed change in the experiment. The alternative hypothesis is generally the one described in the previous two paragraphs, also referred to as the experimental hypothesis. The alternative hypothesis is the predicted outcome of the experiment. If the null hypothesis is rejected, then this builds evidence for the alternative hypothesis.</p>
<p>An everyday example: Maybe it is freezing outside and therefore it is fairly likely that your car battery is dead. Maybe you know you were low on gas the night before and therefore it is likely that the tank is empty.</p>
<h4>Step 3: Experimentation and Data Collection</h4>
<p>Either way, the next step is to make more observations or to conduct experiments leading to conclusions. Following the formulation of hypotheses, scientists plan and conduct experiments to test their hypotheses. These experiments provide data that will either support or falsify the hypothesis. Data can be collected from quantitative or qualitative observations. Qualitative information refers to observations that can be made simply using one&#39;s senses, be that through sight, sound, taste, smell, or touch. In contrast, quantitative observations are ones in which precise measurements of some type are used to investigate one&#39;s hypothesis.</p>
<p>An experiment is a procedure designed to determine whether observations of the real world agree with or refute the derived predictions in the hypothesis. If evidence from an experiment supports a hypothesis, that gives the hypothesis more credibility. This does not indicate that the hypothesis is true, as future experiments may reveal new information about the original hypothesis. Experimental design is another critical step in the scientific method and can have a great effect on the results and conclusions one draws from an experiment. Careful thought and time should be devoted to experimental design and minimizing possible errors. The experiment should be designed so that every variable or factor that could influence the outcome of the experiment be under control of the researcher. Two types of variables are used to describe the conditions in an experiment: the independent and the dependent, or response, variable. The independent variable is directly manipulated or controlled by the scientist and is generally what one predicts will affect the dependent variable. The dependent, or response, variable thus depends on the value of the independent variable. Experiments are generally designed so that one specific factor is manipulated in the experiment in order to illuminate cause and effect relationships.</p>
<p>An everyday example: Does the car still have all of its parts? Is this the right key? What does the gas gauge say? Does a jump start help?</p>
<p>Another important aspect in experimental design is the role of the control treatment, which represents a non-manipulated treatment condition. The control treatment is kept in the same conditions as the experimental treatment, but the experimental manipulation is not applied to the control. For example, if a researcher were testing the effects of soil salinity on plant growth, the soil in the control treatment would have no added salt. The control provides a baseline of &#8220;normal&#8221; conditions with which to compare the experimental treatments.</p>
<p>Experimental design should also incorporate replicates of each treatment. Repeatability of experimental results is an important part of the scientific method that ensures the validity and accuracy of data. It is quite difficult to control all aspects of an experiment so there is inherent variation in results that cannot be controlled for even under the most carefully designed and controlled experiments. Having replicates enables an investigator to estimate this inherent variation in results. Precise recording and measurement of data is also of great importance for ensuring the accuracy of results and the conclusions one draws from the results.</p>
<h4>Step 4: Results and Data Analysis</h4>
<p>The next step in the scientific method involves determining what the results from the experiment mean. Scientists compare the predictions of their null hypothesis to that of their alternative hypothesis to determine if they are able to reject the null hypothesis. Rejecting the null hypothesis means that there is a significant probability that values of the dependent variable in the control versus experimental treatments are not equal to each other. If significant differences exist, then one can reject the null hypothesis and accept the alternative hypothesis. Conversely, the investigator may fail to reject the null hypothesis, meaning the treatment has no effect on the results. Before scientists can make any claims about their null hypothesis from their experimental data or observations, statistical tests are required to ensure the validity of the data and further interpretation of the data. Statistical tests allow researchers to determine if there are genuine differences between the control and experimental treatments. From there, they can create figures and tables to illustrate their findings.</p>
<h4>Step 5: Conclusions</h4>
<p>The last portion of the scientific method involves providing explanations of the results and the conclusions that can be logically drawn from the results. Generally, this step of the scientific process also requires one to revisit scientific literature and compare their results with other experiments or observations on related topics. This allows researchers to put their experiment in a more general context and elaborate on the significance of particular results. Additionally, it allows them to explain how their work fits into a larger context in their discipline.</p>
<p>The scientific process does not stop here! The scientific process works through time as knowledge on topics in science accumulate and drive our understanding of particular mechanisms or processes explaining natural phenomena. If we fail to reject our null hypothesis, then it becomes necessary to revisit the initial stages of the scientific method and try to reformulate our questions and understand why an anticipated result was not attained.</p>
<h4>Application of the Scientific Method</h4>
<p>The only difference between the use of this method in every-day life and in the laboratory is that scientists carefully document their work, from observation to hypothesis to experiment, and finally conclusions and peer review. In addition, unlike problem solving outside the lab, the scientific method in the lab includes controlled conditions and variables.</p>
<p>Let&#8217;s investigate the scientific method using an example from the lab. It is known that plant growth is affected by microbes, such as bacteria and fungi, living in their soil. It is possible to figure out what microbes have which effects by potting plants in completely sterile soil, then adding in microbes one at a time, or in different combinations and measuring the growth of the plant. Now let&#8217;s fit this into the terms used to describe the scientific method:</p>
<p><strong>Observation and Question</strong>: There are microbes in the soil&#8230;do these affect plant growth?</p>
<p>HYPOTHESES:</p>
<p>Experimental: One particular microbe of interest will cause the plants to grow more slowly.</p>
<p>Null: The presence or absence of microbes will have no effect on plant growth</p>
<p><strong>Experiment</strong>: set up groups of plants in 1) sterile soil, 2) soil with the microbe added in, and 3) natural soil. Measure the growth of the plants over time, using a ruler.</p>
<p><strong>Conclusion</strong>: if the plants in group 2 grow more slowly than the other two, the hypothesis is supported. This needs to be backed up with statistical analysis from many plants to be considered significant. An experiment like this is not legitimate with just one plant per group.</p>
<p>Group 1 is a<strong> control</strong> which shows the plants can grow in the sterile soil. Group 3 is a control that shows the plants can grow under normal conditions. Group 2 is the experimental group. It would be possible to add different amounts of the microbe, or different microbes, to introduce more variables. The main point is that the researcher has something to which to compare the experimental group- the control group. If the experiment included only group 2 and the researcher determined that the plants &#8220;looked sick,&#8221; that would be a matter of opinion. The only way to make that observation scientific is to have healthy plants to measure. The type or amount of microbe used is the <strong>independent variable</strong>, because the researcher has control over it. The size of the plant at the end of the experiment is the <strong>dependent or response variable</strong> because it is the result.</p>
<p>Ultimately, work like this is published in scientific journals so that other researchers can read about the methods used and conclusions drawn. Publications like this are subject to peer-review, which means that an article won&#8217;t be published in a journal until other researchers have checked it out and agree it is well-done. As a community of scientists, general concepts are developed based on observed patterns in the experiments that individual scientists conduct. This results in the development of a scientific <strong>theory</strong>. This term means that there is a consensus among researchers that a particular concept or process exists. It is important to note that the word theory does not mean the same thing as hypothesis. Once scientists label a concept with this term, it is considered to be true, considering all currently available data. Of course, if a large body of experimentation demonstrates information to the contrary, theories can be modified.</p>

Scientific Method: Steps and Applications - Concept

Metoda naukowa

The scientific method is used to solve problems and explain phenomena. The development of the scientific method coincided with changes in philosophy ...

Education

JoVE Lab Manual

Biology

Fundamentals

Group Behavior

<ol class="note-items"><li data-note-item="1" data-parent-collapse="">The Hawk-Dove Game
<button class="expand">Expand</button><ul class="lab-items"><li data-sub-note-item="1-1"><div class="lab-step">NOTE: In this activity, you will play the hawk and dove game with a single partner and then with multiple partners to observe hypothetical costs and benefits of the antagonist or cooperative behavior respectively. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-2"><div class="lab-step">Before the activity starts, review the cost-benefit table so that you understand how to score the game. <a href="https://www.jove.com/CDNSource/lm/labs/33/Table_1_Group_behavior.xlsx" style="display:block;margin:20px;" target="_blank">Click Here to download Table 1</a>
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-3"><div class="lab-step">HYPOTHESES: The experimental hypothesis for this exercise could be that the dove strategy will become more frequent between repeated partners, and the hawk strategy will become more frequent when interactions are with a variety of partners. The null hypothesis could be that there will be no change in strategy over time with repeat or different partner combinations. NOTE: Benefit can be determined by looking at the left column and choosing the row that corresponds to the card you played. The box that corresponds to the choice of your partner can be found in the top row. For the purposes of this game, B equals four and C equals three. So depending on the cards played, player one here, which is you, would gain a score of two, four, zero or one half. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-4"><div class="lab-step">Collect a set of two game cards. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-5"><div class="lab-step">Take out the cards labeled hawk and dove and place them face down on the table or conceal them in your hands. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-6"><div class="lab-step">When the instructor gives the signal show either of the two cards to the student sitting across from you. Try to strategize how to receive the highest benefit from every interaction on your own but do not communicate with your partner. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-7"><div class="lab-step">In the Single Partner Recording Table (Table 2) provided by your instructor, note the cards played as well as the benefit you received for that round.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-8"><div class="lab-step">Repeat showing cards to the same partner and determining benefit on your instructor&#39;s signal for a total of 15 rounds.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-9"><div class="lab-step">At the end of those rounds, the student with the highest total benefit value was determined to be the &#8220;winner&#8221;, or the most fit.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-10"><div class="lab-step">As a class, determine the percentages of hawks and doves played as well as the average benefit received for each round, using this formula: Class average benefit=(sum total benefit)/(number of players)
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-11"><div class="lab-step">For the second game, and then for each round of play, one row of students should rotate to their right, leaving all players with a new partner.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-12"><div class="lab-step">Continue playing for 15 rounds or until students end up back in their starting positions, recording the data in the Multiple Partner Recording Table (Table 3) given to you by your instructor.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-13"><div class="lab-step">For each round, determine the percentages of hawks and doves played that round, as well as the average benefit received.
</div></li></ul></li><li data-note-item="2" data-parent-collapse="">Cheating and Cooperation Exercise
<button class="expand">Expand</button><ul class="lab-items"><li data-sub-note-item="2-1"><div class="lab-step">NOTE: In this activity, you will exchange benefits, represented by colored or similar items, with your classmates. In this simulation, a cheater is defined as a person who gives fewer benefits than they receive. During this activity, you will observe the frequency of cheating behavior over time. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-2"><div class="lab-step">HYPOTHESES: The experimental hypothesis is that cheaters will receive fewer benefits over time and cooperators will continue to provide equal benefits to one another. The null hypothesis is that the frequency of cheaters and cooperators does not change over time. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-3"><div class="lab-step">Each person should collect beads of one color to represent a tangible benefit, as well as one paper bag and a three-ring binder.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-4"><div class="lab-step">Get into a group of three so that all members have objects of the same color.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-5"><div class="lab-step">Now find another group with a different color to pair with. In each round, partners will exchange benefits without knowing what they are receiving from their partner and without discussion within their group.  NOTE: Benefits of a different color from your starting color are worth twice as much.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-6"><div class="lab-step">Turn face to face with a member from the other group while still being able to conceal the objects in your possession.  TIP:<strong> </strong>Setting up a screen using a notebook or sitting behind a desk can be helpful here.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-7"><div class="lab-step">When given a signal from the instructor, place zero to two benefits into the paper bag and pass it to your partner.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-8"><div class="lab-step">Simultaneously, receive the bag from your partner and then remove the benefits from the bag.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-9"><div class="lab-step">Make a note of how many benefits you gave away and how many you received in the Cheating and Cooperation Table (Table 4) provided by your instructor.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-10"><div class="lab-step">Turn to a new member from the other group and repeat the exchange.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-11"><div class="lab-step">Rotate through all of the members of the other group for as many rounds as the instructor determines - which will not be revealed until the game ends so as not to alter player behavior.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-12"><div class="lab-step">Once the game has ended, note for each round in the cheating and cooperation table whether you gave more than your partner, received more from them or if you gave the same amount.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-13"><div class="lab-step">Now total up all of the benefits in your possession, with benefits you&#39;ve received from the other group being worth twice as much.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-14"><div class="lab-step">For each round, the whole class should total up the number of cheaters - with cheaters defined as those who gave less than they received.
</div></li></ul></li><li data-note-item="3" data-parent-collapse="">Results
<button class="expand">Expand</button><ul class="lab-items"><li data-sub-note-item="3-1"><div class="lab-step">For both the single partner hawk-dove game and the multiple partners hawk-dove game, use the whole class data to plot the percentages as two separate lines - one for the percentage of hawks, and one for the percentage of doves, for each of the 15 rounds.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="3-2"><div class="lab-step">Take note of whether the cards played changed as more rounds were played.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="3-3"><div class="lab-step">Manipulate the values for B and C to see if you can find the point at which values of B and C would render the hawk strategy no longer effective (this would be the point when there is no benefit to choosing the hawk strategy over always choosing the dove strategy).
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="3-4"><div class="lab-step">As a class, use the data from the cheating and cooperation activity to make a graph showing the percentage of rounds each individual player cheated versus the amount of benefits they ended with.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="3-5"><div class="lab-step">Consider whether it is better to be a cheater or a cooperator in this scenario and discuss as a class what makes this scenario different from the hawk-dove game.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="3-6"><div class="lab-step">Now, use the class data to graph the percentage of cheaters against the number of rounds, and look for any trends over time.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="3-7"><div class="lab-step">Consider which type of strategy would most likely evolve in a setting where partners interact repeatedly.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="3-8"><div class="lab-step">Then, note which tactic might be beneficial for a species that relies on cooperation. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="3-9"><div class="lab-step">Discuss as a class what would likely happen if you increased or decreased the relative value of the benefits you receive.
</div></li></ul></li></ol>

Group Behavior: Hawk-Dove Game and Trading Exercise - Procedure

Zachowanie grupy

The Hawk-Dove Game
ExpandNOTE: In this activity, you will play the hawk and dove game with a single partner and then with multiple partners to observe ...

Ecology

Lab Manual Sub Articles

Optimal Foraging

<ol class="note-items"><li data-note-item="1" data-parent-collapse="">Simulating Foraging with Artificial Habitats and Prey
<button class="expand">Expand</button><ul class="lab-items"><li data-sub-note-item="1-1"><div class="lab-step">NOTE: The foragers will hunt for prey represented by pinto beans in four buckets of rice with varying prey densities. Without knowing what these densities are, foragers must obtain as many prey items as possible in as little time as possible. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-2"><div class="lab-step">HYPOTHESES: In this experiment, the experimental hypothesis could be that foragers will catch the most prey in the higher prey density bucket and also spend the most time foraging there.  The null hypothesis would then be that foragers will catch an equal number of prey in each bucket and that foragers will spend an equal amount of time foraging in each patch. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-3"><div class="lab-step">To begin the foraging activity, record the names and role of each participant at the top of the student data collection sheet.  NOTE: Before starting the experiment, the forager is allowed to become familiar with the foraging process &#8211; the following steps are a practice round. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-4"><div class="lab-step">The forager should kneel or sit in front of the average density bucket. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-5"><div class="lab-step">Once the timer says start, the forager may begin looking for the pinto beans representing the prey. The forager can spend as much time as they like foraging in this bucket. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-6"><div class="lab-step">Once a prey item is located, the forager must signal that one has been found and place the prey in the cup next to the bucket.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-7"><div class="lab-step">Once they believe they have acquired most of the prey in the patch, they should tell the timer to stop the time and the practice round is over. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-8"><div class="lab-step">To begin the simulation proper, the forager should sit or kneel in front of bucket A. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-9"><div class="lab-step">The timer must be ready to start the stopwatch. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-10"><div class="lab-step">The recorder should be ready to record the time each prey item is located, in addition to the time that the forager arrived at and left each bucket. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-11"><div class="lab-step">When all parties are ready, the timer should start the stopwatch and say &#8220;start&#8221;,  and the forager should begin foraging. NOTE: The stopwatch will run through the rest of the round for buckets B and C.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-12"><div class="lab-step">As the forager signals finding pinto beans and places them in the cup next to the bucket, the timer should tell the recorder the time.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-13"><div class="lab-step">The recorder should then write the time in the student data collection sheet.  <a href="https://www.jove.com/CDNSource/lm/labs/34/Table_1_Optimal_foraging.xlsx" style="display:block;margin:20px;" target="_blank">Click Here to download Table 1</a>
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-14"><div class="lab-step">Once the forager has decided to move on to the next bucket, they should tell the timer &#8220;done&#8221;, and begin moving to the next patch. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-15"><div class="lab-step">The recorder should record the time the forager left and the time they arrived at bucket B in the student data collection sheet.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-16"><div class="lab-step">Repeat the same procedure for buckets B and C. Once the forager has completed the activity, it is time for the next forager to begin using the same procedure. 
</div></li></ul></li><li data-note-item="2" data-parent-collapse="">Results
<button class="expand">Expand</button><ul class="lab-items"><li data-sub-note-item="2-1"><div class="lab-step">Before performing any data analysis, review the data collection sheet and compile your individual data for captured prey, foraging time, and travel time for each bucket in your student calculations table. <a href="https://www.jove.com/CDNSource/lm/labs/34/Table_2_Optimal_foraging.xlsx" style="display:block;margin:20px;" target="_blank">Click Here to download Table 2</a>
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-2"><div class="lab-step">After this, calculate your individual capture rate for each bucket by dividing the number of prey captured by the sum of the foraging time and travel time and record these values in your table. Individual capture rate =  Number of prey captured / (foraging time + travel time)
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-3"><div class="lab-step">To calculate your Giving-Up-Time or a GUT for each bucket, subtract the time that the last prey item was acquired from the time you left the bucket.  GUT = time forager left bucket  -  time last prey item acquired
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-4"><div class="lab-step">Next, calculate the mean GUT for your foraging group and record the values in your table.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-5"><div class="lab-step">Finally, calculate your scaled GUT for each bucket by dividing the bucket GUT by your group&#39;s mean GUT. Scaled GUT =  Bucket GUT / Group mean GUT NOTE: The scaled GUT will allow class data to be pooled later on without differences in individual foragers skewing the data. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-6"><div class="lab-step">The instructor should now compile the data into the classroom spreadsheet.  <a href="https://www.jove.com/CDNSource/lm/labs/34/Table_3_Optimal_foraging.xlsx" style="display:block;margin:20px;" target="_blank">Click Here to download Table 3</a>
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-7"><div class="lab-step">Plot a bar graph of the average number of prey collected in each bucket. On the x-axis, A should represent the low prey density bucket, B should represent the medium prey density bucket, and C the high prey density bucket. Plot the y-axis as the number of prey items caught. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-8"><div class="lab-step">Next, plot the graph of the class average scaled GUT, where the x-axis represents the buckets with varying levels of prey density and the y-axis shows the values for the average scaled GUT. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-9"><div class="lab-step">Plot a third graph of the average time spent foraging in each bucket. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-10"><div class="lab-step">Now review the Marginal Value Theorem (MVT) from the concepts video and examine the three graphs that you generated from your class data. Take note of whether the graphs conform to the predictions of MVT. 
</div></li></ul></li></ol>

Optimal Foraging: Foraging with Artificial Habitats and Prey - Procedure

Optymalne żerowanie

Simulating Foraging with Artificial Habitats and Prey
ExpandNOTE: The foragers will hunt for prey represented by pinto beans in four buckets of rice with ...

Species Distribution and Biogeography

<ol class="note-items"><li data-note-item="1" data-parent-collapse="">Simulating Colonization and Extinction on Islands
<button class="expand">Expand</button><ul class="lab-items"><li data-sub-note-item="1-1"><div class="lab-step">Form groups of three. One member of the group will simulate colonization by throwing balls into the groups of cups representing the islands. Another will simulate extinction by rolling dice to randomly remove balls from the cups. The third group member will record the data.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-2"><div class="lab-step">Take time to familiarize yourself with the four island stations. NOTE: There are two large islands with 12 cups and two small islands with 6 cups. Two of the stations will have tape lines that are 2 m away from the cups. These are the far islands. The other two stations will have tape lines that are 1 m away from the cups. These are the near islands. Thus, the stations are far large and near large and far small and near small. HYPOTHESES: In this experiment, one alternate hypothesis might be that the larger islands with more cups will support a greater number of species than the smaller islands. The null hypothesis might be that all islands will support this same number of species regardless of size. Another alternate hypothesis might be that islands closer to the mainland will have a higher colonization rate than islands farther from the mainland. The null hypothesis might be that all islands will have the same colonization rate regardless of their distance from the mainland. Additionally, in all trials we may hypothesize that the colonization rate will be expected to decrease as more species inhabit an island whereas the extinction rate will increase as more species are found on the island. The null hypothesis might be that the colonization rate and extinction rates are expected to stay the same across all numbers of species on the island.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-3"><div class="lab-step">First, choose one of the four stations as a starting place.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-4"><div class="lab-step">From the line of tape at this location, the colonization simulator must throw the ball to the island and try to get the ball into a cup. NOTE: One round consists of five throws, each throw representing a colonization attempt. If the ball lands in a cup that does not already have a ball in it, this is a successful colonization attempt and the ball should be left in the cup.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-5"><div class="lab-step">The data collector should place a tally on the colonizers box for the round in the recording sheet found at the station. <a href="https://www.jove.com/CDNSource/lm/labs/29/Tables_1-4_Island_biogeography.xlsx" style="display:block;margin:20px;" target="_blank">Click Here to download Tables 1-4</a>
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-6"><div class="lab-step">If the ball does not land in a cup, retrieve it. This is an unsuccessful colonization attempt.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-7"><div class="lab-step">If a ball lands in a cup that already has a ball in it, retrieve it. This is also an unsuccessful colonization attempt.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-8"><div class="lab-step">Add the number of species at the beginning of the round with the tally of colonizers.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-9"><div class="lab-step">The data collector should record this number in the column entitled &#8220;Number of species after colonization&#8221; in the recording sheet found at the station.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-10"><div class="lab-step">The extinction simulator should now roll a die. If the trial is occurring at a large island site, choose one of the two colored dice at random with eyes closed.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-11"><div class="lab-step">Remove the ball if there is one present from the cup that is of the same color as the die and labeled with the number rolled by that die.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-12"><div class="lab-step">The data collector should count the removal as an extinction in the station recording table. NOTE: In a trial at the small island station, follow the same procedure except that it is only necessary to match the number rolled by the die to the cup. If there is no ball in the cup, no extinction is recorded. For both the large and small islands, repeat the extinction roll for a total of two rolls if there are 3 - 8 species present on the island and three rolls if there are 9 - 12 species on the island. If there are fewer than three species on the island, do not roll the die again.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-13"><div class="lab-step">This is the end of one round. After this, count the total number of species currently in the cups at this station and then tally this number into the &#8220;Number of species at beginning of round&#8221; column on the station recording sheet for the next round.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-14"><div class="lab-step">Groups should switch stations after five rounds at one table to control for the throwing ability of the colonization simulators. Repeat the trials and rotation through the stations until 20 rounds have been recorded in total for all groups combined at all four stations.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-15"><div class="lab-step">Count the tally marks for the number of species at the beginning of the round, colonizers, total number of species after colonization, and extinctions for each round at each island station.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-16"><div class="lab-step">Look at your data recording sheet. How many times were there zero species at the beginning of a round? How many times was there only one species at the beginning of a round? Repeat this calculation for 0 through 12 species present at the beginning of a round.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-17"><div class="lab-step">Then, tally these values in the corresponding rows of the &#8220;Rounds with this many species&#8221; column in the appropriate colonization rate calculation table. <a href="https://www.jove.com/CDNSource/lm/labs/29/Tables_5-8_Island_biogeography.xlsx" style="display:block;margin:20px;" target="_blank">Click Here to download Tables 5-8</a>
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-18"><div class="lab-step">In the colonization attempts column, multiply these values by five to represent the total number of Ping-Pong balls thrown.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-19"><div class="lab-step">Look at your data recording sheet once more and calculate the total number of colonizers for each value in the number of species at beginning of round column.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-20"><div class="lab-step">Record these values in the &#8220;Successful colonization attempts&#8221; column of the appropriate colonization rate calculation table.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-21"><div class="lab-step">Divide the successful colonization attempts by the colonization attempts for each initial species value and record this in the &#8220;Colonization rate&#8221; column of the appropriate colonization rate calculation table.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-22"><div class="lab-step">Repeat the process for determining the colonization rate for all of the island trials. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-23"><div class="lab-step">To calculate the extinction rate for each of the trials, return to the data recording sheet for the near large island trial. Count the number of times that the number of species after colonization matched each number from 1 to 12, as previously described.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-24"><div class="lab-step">Record these values in the &#8220;Rounds with this many species&#8221; column in the appropriate extinction rate calculation table. <a href="https://www.jove.com/CDNSource/lm/labs/29/Tables_9-12_Island_biogeography.xlsx" style="display:block;margin:20px;" target="_blank">Click Here to download Tables 9-12</a>
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-25"><div class="lab-step">To calculate extinction attempts, multiply the value in the &#8220;Rounds with this many species&#8221; cells by 1 if the species after colonization value is 0 &#8211; 2, by 2 if the value is 3 &#8211; 8, and by 3 if the value is 9 or above. NOTE: These values correspond with the number of times the die was rolled during the extinction simulation.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-26"><div class="lab-step">Then, using the data contained in the data recording sheet, count the number of extinctions that occurred for each value in the &#8220;Number of species after colonization&#8221; column.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-27"><div class="lab-step">Record these values in the &#8220;Extinctions&#8221; column of the appropriate extinction rate calculation table.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-28"><div class="lab-step">Record these values in the &#8220;Extinctions&#8221; column of the appropriate extinction rate calculation table.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-29"><div class="lab-step">Repeat the process for calculating the extinction rate for all of the island trials. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-30"><div class="lab-step">After this, plot the colonization and extinction rates versus the number of species for each of the island stations.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-31"><div class="lab-step">Draw the best-fit lines for the colonization and extinction rates in each of the four graphs.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-32"><div class="lab-step">Compare the colonization rate between the near and far islands. Determine the distance that had a greater dynamic equilibrium of species and develop a hypothesis to explain your observation. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-33"><div class="lab-step">Next, compare the extinction rates between the large and small islands. Determine the size that had a greater dynamic equilibrium number of species.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-34"><div class="lab-step">Observe the slopes of the colonization rates in the plots. Determine if they are positive or negative. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-35"><div class="lab-step">Observe the slopes of the extinction rates in the plots. Determine if they are positive or negative. 
</div></li></ul></li></ol>

Rozmieszczenie gatunków i biogeografia

Simulating Colonization and Extinction on Islands
ExpandForm groups of three. One member of the group will simulate colonization by throwing balls into ...

Extinction

<ol class="note-items"><li data-note-item="1" data-parent-collapse="">Diversity and Extinction during the Paleogene Epoch
<button class="expand">Expand</button><ul class="lab-items"><li data-sub-note-item="1-1"><div class="lab-step">Begin this procedure by reading the extinction reading supplement that has been printed out for you. <br /><strong>NOTE:</strong> Alternatively, you may download the reading supplement at the link below.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.jove.com/CDNSource/lm/labs/24/Lab_20_Reading Supplement.docx" style="display:block;margin:20px;" target="_blank">Click here to download the extinction reading supplement</a>
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-2"><div class="lab-step">Using the information contained in the extinction reading supplements pertaining to the taxa of interest and the Chicxulub impact event, make predictions for each taxon listed in Table 1. Consider whether diversity in each taxon increased, decreased, or stayed the same immediately following the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary and later on in the Paleogene epoch. <a href="https://www.jove.com/CDNSource/lm/labs/24/Table_1_Extinction.xlsx" style="display:block;margin:20px;" target="_blank">Click Here to download Table 1</a>
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-3"><div class="lab-step">Then, fill out the reasons for each of your predictions in the Contributing Factors column. HYPOTHESES: The experimental hypothesis is that many of the different taxa will show changes in diversity after the Cretaceous-Paleogene event, and again at the end of the Paleogene, with some increasing in diversity, while others decrease. The null hypothesis is that there will be no changes in diversity between taxa following the Cretaceous-Paleogene event, or at the end of the Paleogene.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-4"><div class="lab-step">Gather diversity data by going to the Paleobiology Database: <a href="http://www.paleobiodb.org" target="_blank">www.paleobiodb.org</a>.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-5"><div class="lab-step">In the center of the screen, click the yellow box labeled Download Data. Under the italicized heading, &#8220;What do you want to download?&#8221;, select Diversity over time on the left side and Comma-separated values on the right side.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-6"><div class="lab-step">Scroll down to the heading &#8220;Select by taxonomy&#8221;.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-7"><div class="lab-step">In the first box labeled 'Taxon or taxa to include', type in the name of the taxon that data is being gathered on.  NOTE: Ensure the spelling is correct.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-8"><div class="lab-step">Now, go to the dropdown menu right below that box labeled &#8220;Taxonomic resolution&#8221;, and select genera.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-9"><div class="lab-step">Under the next heading, Select by time, type Maastrichtian into the first box and Chattian in the box directly below. Make sure the dropdown menu labeled Time rule is set to major and the Temporal resolution is set to stage.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-10"><div class="lab-step">Select &#8220;Assume extant taxa range through to present&#8221;. Scroll back up to the middle of the page and click download. A save window will open.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-11"><div class="lab-step">Save the .csv file to a safe and accessible place and rename it to make it easy to identify.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-12"><div class="lab-step">Open the file and scroll down to the main dataset under Records.  NOTE: The data are arranged in reverse time order by geological stage. The second column, interval_name, gives the accepted name of the stage in question. The next two columns give the appropriate dates of the stage in millions of years before the present. The final column, number of occurrences, gives a total count of the genera extant during that geological stage as determined from occurrence of fossils.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-13"><div class="lab-step">To more easily work with this data, copy and paste each column into a new sheet. Be sure to label this sheet with the taxon in question, the data and time the data were obtained, and the data source.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-14"><div class="lab-step">Repeat this process for each of the taxa in Table 1 (steps 4 &#8211; 12). NOTE: Data from multiple taxa can be kept on the same sheet, so long as they are kept distinct and labeled appropriately.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-15"><div class="lab-step">To create line plots for each of the taxa showing the change in diversity over time, select the max_ma column and the number of occurrences column simultaneously.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-16"><div class="lab-step">In Excel, select Insert from the top toolbar and find the section labeled Charts. Select the bottom center icon, Insert Scatter Chart.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-17"><div class="lab-step">Then, select the Scatter with Straight Lines and Markers and a graph should appear. NOTE: Since the axis of this graph is in units of millions of years ago, the axis is in the reverse direction of time when put in numerical order.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-18"><div class="lab-step">To fix this, click on the green plus sign in the top-right corner of the graph and hover over Axes. This should reveal a small black arrow. Click the arrow to open up a small menu and select More Options.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-19"><div class="lab-step">This will open the Axis Options menu. Under Axis Options, click the box next to Values in reverse order. NOTE: It is also possible to change the axis scales from this menu, which can be used to eliminate the excess time that is not being analyzed in this lab. Keep any changes consistent between different graphs.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-20"><div class="lab-step">Double-click on the title at the top of the graph and change it to the taxon being represented.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-21"><div class="lab-step">Make a separate graph for each of the taxa in Table 1. Keep them organized and in one location. A separate sheet for graphs is recommended.
</div></li></ul></li><li data-note-item="2" data-parent-collapse="">Results
<button class="expand">Expand</button><ul class="lab-items"><li data-sub-note-item="2-1"><div class="lab-step">For each graph, identify the location of the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary and draw a vertical line through the graph at this point.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-2"><div class="lab-step">Using the information from the graphs, fill out Table 2. In some cases, it may be helpful to go back to the original dataset and compare actual values, particularly when they are small. <a href="https://www.jove.com/CDNSource/lm/labs/24/Table_2_Extinction.xlsx" style="display:block;margin:20px;" target="_blank">Click Here to download Table 2</a>
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-3"><div class="lab-step">Compare these values to the predictions made in Table 1 and discuss if the original contributing factors are still likely candidates.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-4"><div class="lab-step">Using the dataset, calculate the percentage of total taxa that went extinct over the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary using this equation.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-5"><div class="lab-step">There is an event in the middle of the Paleogene known as the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum about 55.5 million years ago. This represents a high point in temperature during the Paleogene epoch at approximately 8 &#176;C higher than today&#39;s average temperature. Does this point seem to have an effect on diversity for any of the taxa? If yes, then which ones?
</div></li></ul></li></ol>

Extinction: Diversity and Extinction during the Paleogene Epoch - Procedure

Wymieranie

Diversity and Extinction during the Paleogene Epoch
ExpandBegin this procedure by reading the extinction reading supplement that has been printed out for ...

Animal Behavior

<ol class="note-items"><li data-note-item="1" data-parent-collapse="">Making Choice Chambers
<button class="expand">Expand</button><ul class="lab-items"><li data-sub-note-item="1-1"><div class="lab-step">Before beginning the experiments, use one of the Sharpies from the lab table to trace a line around the circumference of the bottom of both bottles. One line should be 1 cm from the base of the bottle and the other should be 1.5 cm from the base of the bottle.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-2"><div class="lab-step">Use a razor blade to make a small cut in each bottle at the mark. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-3"><div class="lab-step">Then, insert the scissors and carefully cut along the line until the bottoms of the bottles are removed completely.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-4"><div class="lab-step">Fit one bottle bottom into the other.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-5"><div class="lab-step">Tape the bottles together to make a secure chamber.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-6"><div class="lab-step">Use the razor blade and scissors to poke a hole into the center of the chamber. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-7"><div class="lab-step">Take a piece of tape and fold the edge onto itself to make a tab and place the tape over the hole.  Note: The tab helps with easy removal and reattachment of the tape to the chamber.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-8"><div class="lab-step">Use the Sharpie to label one side of the chamber A and the other side B.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-9"><div class="lab-step">Upon receiving the colony of <em>Drosophila</em>, perform a count to make sure there are 40 living individuals in the vial.
</div></li></ul></li><li data-note-item="2" data-parent-collapse="">Geotaxis
<button class="expand">Expand</button><ul class="lab-items"><li data-sub-note-item="2-1"><div class="lab-step">To perform a geotaxis assay, first attach a clean, empty bottle cap to each end of the choice chamber and turn the fly vial upside down onto its lid.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-2"><div class="lab-step">Open the tape flap in the center of the choice chamber.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-3"><div class="lab-step">Insert the funnel into the hole and tap all of the flies into the chamber. HYPOTHESES: The alternate hypothesis is that more flies will be moving against gravity, or up, regardless of the orientation of the choice chamber. Alternatively, if the flies are positively geotactic, then more flies will move down, or with gravity. The null hypothesis is that the flies will have no preference with regard to gravity and will move randomly within the chamber. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-4"><div class="lab-step">Once the <em>Drosophila</em> are in the chamber, close the tape flap, rotate the chamber so that it stands vertically with side A on the bottom, and start the timer.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-5"><div class="lab-step">Immediately, count the number of <em>Drosophila</em> that are moving up and the number that are moving down. Record these data for time point 0 in the table. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-6"><div class="lab-step">After 30 seconds, rotate the chamber so that side B is on the bottom and count the number of <em>Drosophila</em> that are moving up or down. Record these data for time point 30 in the table.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-7"><div class="lab-step">After 60 seconds, rotate the chamber so that side A is on the bottom again and record the number of moving flies for time point 60.  <a href="https://www.jove.com/CDNSource/lm/labs/15/Table_1_Animal_behavior.xlsx" style="display:block;margin:20px;" target="__blank">Click Here to download Table 1</a>
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-8"><div class="lab-step">Hold the chamber over the fly vial and carefully open the cap to return all of the <em>Drosophila</em> back to their empty vial. 
</div></li></ul></li><li data-note-item="3" data-parent-collapse="">Phototaxis
<button class="expand">Expand</button><ul class="lab-items"><li data-sub-note-item="3-1"><div class="lab-step">To perform a phototaxis analysis, first cover side A of the choice chamber with tin foil, taking care that the foil reaches to the exact center between the two sides. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="3-2"><div class="lab-step">Ensure the caps are secured on both ends of the chamber.  HYPOTHESES: In this exercise, the alternative hypothesis is that more flies will be found in the light side of the choice chamber, if the flues are attracted to light, or on the dark side if they are repelled by light. The null hypothesis is that <em>Drosophila</em> will have no preference with regard to either stimulus. Therefore, equal numbers of flies will be found on either side of the choice chamber.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="3-3"><div class="lab-step">Open the tape flap in the center of the choice chamber, insert the funnel into the hole, and tap all 40 flies into the chamber as previously described.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="3-4"><div class="lab-step">Set the timer to sound an alarm at 10 minutes.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="3-5"><div class="lab-step">When the alarm sounds, stop the timer, and count the number of flies in the open side B of the chamber.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="3-6"><div class="lab-step">Subtract that number from the total number of flies added to the choice chamber to calculate the number of flies in the covered side A.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="3-7"><div class="lab-step">Record these data in the table for time point 10.  <a href="https://www.jove.com/CDNSource/lm/labs/15/Table_2_Animal_behavior.xlsx" style="display:block;margin:20px;" target="__blank">Click Here to download Table 2</a>
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="3-8"><div class="lab-step">Carefully, return all of the flies back to their empty vial.
</div></li></ul></li><li data-note-item="4" data-parent-collapse="">Chemotaxis
<button class="expand">Expand</button><ul class="lab-items"><li data-sub-note-item="4-1"><div class="lab-step">HYPOTHESES: In this exercise, the alternative hypothesis is that more flies will be found on the side of the chamber with the apple cider vinegar if the flies are attracted to the odor. Or, if the flies are repelled by the vinegar, then more of them will be found on the side of the chamber presenting the odorless water. The null hypothesis is that <em>Drosophila</em> will have no preference with regard to either stimulus and will move randomly in the chamber.  Use an individual disposable plastic pipette to dispense two drops of the apple cider vinegar onto one cotton ball for side A of the chamber. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="4-2"><div class="lab-step">Use an individual disposable plastic pipette to dispense two drops of the distilled water onto a cotton ball for side B of the chamber. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="4-3"><div class="lab-step">Fold two pieces of tape over themselves to create individual pieces of double-sided tape and use the tape to attach each cotton ball to the inside of the single bottle cap.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="4-4"><div class="lab-step">Screw the bottle caps with the cotton balls onto their corresponding sides of the chamber.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="4-5"><div class="lab-step">Transfer all of the flies into the chamber and set the timer to sound an alarm after 10 minutes. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="4-6"><div class="lab-step">When the alarm sounds, stop the timer and record the number of flies in each side of the chamber. <a href="https://www.jove.com/CDNSource/lm/labs/15/Table_3_Animal_behavior.xlsx" style="display:block;margin:20px;" target="__blank">Click Here to download Table 3</a>
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="4-7"><div class="lab-step">At the end of the final experiment, funnel the flies into a morgue tube containing 70% ethanol. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="4-8"><div class="lab-step">Dismantle the choice chambers for recycling.  NOTE: Since all of the chemicals used in these experiments are lab safe, the liquids can be disposed of down the sink, the chambers rinsed, and the solids can be thrown away in the trash. 
</div></li></ul></li><li data-note-item="5" data-parent-collapse="">Results
<button class="expand">Expand</button><ul class="lab-items"><li data-sub-note-item="5-1"><div class="lab-step">Gather all of the data collected for the geotaxis, phototaxis, and chemotaxis experiments.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="5-2"><div class="lab-step">Plot these values as bar graphs for different conditions and different time points.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="5-3"><div class="lab-step">Use these data to draw inferences about the behavior of <em>drosophila melanogaster</em>. 
</div></li></ul></li></ol>

Animal Behavior: Studying Taxis Behavior of Drosophila - Procedure

Zachowanie zwierząt

Making Choice Chambers
ExpandBefore beginning the experiments, use one of the Sharpies from the lab table to trace a line around the circumference of the ...

Sexual Selection and Mate Choice

<ol class="note-items"><li data-note-item="1" data-parent-collapse="">Sexual Selection Class Simulation
<button class="expand">Expand</button><ul class="lab-items"><li data-sub-note-item="1-1"><div class="lab-step">Note: In this activity, you and your classmates will portray a sexually reproducing population consisting of an equal number of male and female animals. You will simulate several different mating scenarios to determine how relative quality, attractiveness, sex, and parental commitment affect mate choice and reproductive success. The goal of this activity is to maximize your progeny. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-2"><div class="lab-step">Hypotheses: There are several overall hypotheses for female and male behavior for this activity. The main experimental hypothesis for female behavior is that females will mate with males of high quality more frequently than those of low quality, yielding a higher reproductive success. The null hypothesis is that females will not demonstrate preference towards high- or low-quality males in any of the four rounds of mating. For males, one experimental hypothesis is that males with a higher visible score will have greater reproductive success. Another could be that males will be more selective for females in scenarios in which they join females to care for offspring as opposed to scenarios in which they exhibit no parental commitment. The null hypothesis for male behavior might be that males will not demonstrate preference towards high- or low-quality females in any of the four rounds of mating. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-3"><div class="lab-step">Activity Overview: To begin, each student will be assigned a sex as well as a relative quality and attractiveness score. Remember - the goal is to maximize your reproductive success in each round. You do this by mating with partners of the highest possible quality which is rated on a scale of one to three with three being the highest possible score. Attractiveness scores, which follow the previously described scoring paradigm, correlate with quality but do not exactly predict the score. Though useful, they are not a perfect way to choose the best mate.  If you are assigned a male ID holder, you will have 16 gametes. However, if you are assigned a female ID holder, you will only have four. A successful mating occurs when one sperm and one egg are paper-clipped together and deposited at the fertilization area. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-4"><div class="lab-step">Note - Rules of the activity: 
<ul>
	<li>Assigned male and female identities for these experiments are not representative of students&#39; personal gender identities. </li>
	<li>Running is not permitted. </li>
	<li>Talking is not permitted.</li>
	<li>Hidden values cannot be shared but individuals can attempt to hide their visible scores. </li>
	<li>Respect the space around each individual and remain an arm&#39;s length away. </li>
	<li>Offspring will only be counted towards an individual score if both gametes are paper-clipped together and dropped off in the designated fertilization area before the end of the two-minute round. </li>
</ul>
</div></li></ul></li><li data-note-item="2" data-parent-collapse="">Round 1 &#8211; Hidden Quality Score
<button class="expand">Expand</button><ul class="lab-items"><li data-sub-note-item="2-1"><div class="lab-step">To begin the first simulation, take the clip-on ID holder you were randomly assigned and make sure it contains four gametes if you are assigned female or sixteen gametes if male. Males should also have a strip of white paper and two paperclips. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-2"><div class="lab-step">Next, males should paperclip the white strip of paper over their quality score to hide it, but keep the attractiveness score visible. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-3"><div class="lab-step">Record your ID number for round one in table two.  <a href="https://www.jove.com/CDNSource/lm/labs/35/Table_2_sexual_selection.xlsx" style="display:block;margin:20px;" target="_blank">Click Here to download Table 2</a>
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-4"><div class="lab-step">Next, clip on the ID holder and move to the designated mating area. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-5"><div class="lab-step">When the instructor says begin, you may commence the mating simulation. You will have exactly two minutes to produce as many offspring as possible. Males may freely give their sperm to females, and females may choose to use these sperm immediately after which they would walk to the fertilization area and paperclip it to one of their eggs, or they may choose to wait until they receive other sperm to do so. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-6"><div class="lab-step">Once the gametes have been deposited in the fertilization area, females may resume mating. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-7"><div class="lab-step">When the two minutes have elapsed, all matings must stop and any gametes not in the fertilization area at this time will not be counted. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-8"><div class="lab-step">The instructor should now tally all of the matings and record the numbers of the individuals who produced each offspring.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-9"><div class="lab-step">Now, find all the gametes that came with your ID holder and repackage them for the next round. 
</div></li></ul></li><li data-note-item="3" data-parent-collapse="">Round 2 &#8211; Hidden Attractiveness Score
<button class="expand">Expand</button><ul class="lab-items"><li data-sub-note-item="3-1"><div class="lab-step">For the second round, obtain a new randomly assigned ID holder and again ensure it contains the proper number of gametes. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="3-2"><div class="lab-step">Next, males should use the paperclip and strip of white paper to hide their attractiveness score (instead of the quality score, which was covered in round one).
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="3-3"><div class="lab-step">Record the ID number of your clip in table two under round two.  Note: The mating simulation process for round two will be the same as round one.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="3-4"><div class="lab-step">Move to the designated mating area and with for the instructor to signal the start of the round. As before, males may freely give away their sperm while females will choose to use it now or wait for different sperm. When a female decides to fertilize an egg, she will walk to the fertilization area and paperclip the gametes together. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="3-5"><div class="lab-step">Proceed with the simulation for two minutes, and at the signal from the instructor all mating activity should stop. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="3-6"><div class="lab-step">The instructor should now tally all of the matings from this second round.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="3-7"><div class="lab-step">Now, find and return the gametes to your ID holder, and then return the holder to the instructor.
</div></li></ul></li><li data-note-item="4" data-parent-collapse="">Round 3 &#8211; Visible Quality and Attractiveness Scores
<button class="expand">Expand</button><ul class="lab-items"><li data-sub-note-item="4-1"><div class="lab-step">For the third simulation, you should again obtain a new clip-on ID holder and check that it contains the appropriate number of gametes. Record the ID number of your clip in table two.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="4-2"><div class="lab-step">For this round, leave both attractiveness and quality scores visible on male IDs. Note: The mating simulation process for round three will be the same as the previous two rounds.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="4-3"><div class="lab-step">Move to the mating area and wait for the signal to begin the simulation.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="4-4"><div class="lab-step">Once the instructor starts the timer and gives the signal, commence mating. As before, males are allowed to freely give away their sperm to females and females may use the sperm immediately or wait for different sperm. Again, fertilized eggs only count if placed in the fertilization area. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="4-5"><div class="lab-step">After the two-minute time limit, the instructor should tally all matings. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="4-6"><div class="lab-step">Now, find and return the gametes to your ID holder, and then return the holder to the instructor.
</div></li></ul></li><li data-note-item="5" data-parent-collapse="">Round 4 &#8211; Increased Male Parental Care
<button class="expand">Expand</button><ul class="lab-items"><li data-sub-note-item="5-1"><div class="lab-step">In the final round, males will again leave their attractiveness and quality scores visible. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="5-2"><div class="lab-step">Obtain an ID holder and ensure it contains the appropriate number of gametes. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="5-3"><div class="lab-step">Clip on the ID holder and move to the mating area. Note: As before, males may freely give away their sperm to females. However, in this round, once a female chooses to mate with a male, both the male and female will walk to the fertilization area to paperclip their gametes together. After placing the paper-clipped gametes on the table, both male and female actors may return to the mating area. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="5-4"><div class="lab-step">The instructor should signal the start of the round and begin the timer &#8211; at this point participants can begin the simulation.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="5-5"><div class="lab-step">Once the two-minute time limit is up, all matings must stop. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="5-6"><div class="lab-step">The instructor should tally all mating events.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="5-7"><div class="lab-step">Find and return the gametes to your ID holder. Give your ID holder to the instructor and notify them if any gametes or supplies are missing. 
</div></li></ul></li><li data-note-item="6" data-parent-collapse="">Results
<button class="expand">Expand</button><ul class="lab-items"><li data-sub-note-item="6-1"><div class="lab-step">To analyze the data generated during the mating activities, first split up into groups of four. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="6-2"><div class="lab-step">Collect the class data from the instructor for ONE of the four rounds of mating. Note: In this activity, there were several types of females and males distinguished by different letters. These letter types correspond to specific combinations of quality and attractiveness scores. In the compiled data, the average number of matings and reproductive success has already been sorted by letter type for you by the instructor. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="6-3"><div class="lab-step">Use these data to generate four graphs for the round you were assigned. First plot two graphs for the average number of matings against female and male type. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="6-4"><div class="lab-step">Then plot the reproductive success for males and females against male or female type, giving a total of four graphs.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="6-5"><div class="lab-step">Once these graphs are complete, each group should present their data to the class, making sure to state the original hypothesis for your assigned round and whether or not the hypothesis was upheld.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="6-6"><div class="lab-step">After each group presents, discuss the overall results of the four rounds together. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="6-7"><div class="lab-step">Note the affect that hiding the quality score had on the overall quality of mates chosen.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="6-8"><div class="lab-step">Note how hiding or revealing the attractiveness score affected the results.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="6-9"><div class="lab-step">Discuss the effect of male parental investment on the number and overall quality of mating pairs.
</div></li></ul></li></ol>

Dobór płciowy i wybór partnera

Sexual Selection Class Simulation
ExpandNote: In this activity, you and your classmates will portray a sexually reproducing population consisting of an ...

Genetics of Organisms

<ol class="note-items"><li data-note-item="1" data-parent-collapse="">REF and WEF Fly Genetics
<button class="expand">Expand</button><ul class="lab-items"><li data-sub-note-item="1-1"><div class="lab-step">To prepare for the experiment, be sure to obtain cultures of <em>Drosophila melanogaster</em> at least two weeks ahead of the planned experiment day. NOTE: Because adult females store sperm after mating, you will need this time to generate virgin females by breeding the flies.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-2"><div class="lab-step">You should get two stock cultures: wildtype, that is homozygous dominant red eyed flies, and white chromosome one mutant, which are homozygous recessive white eyed flies.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-3"><div class="lab-step">Purchase or create <em>Drosophila </em>habitats consisting of a clean vial, 3 cm of prepared food media, and a stopper to close the open end of the vial.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-4"><div class="lab-step">When not being moved or counted, keep the flies in an incubator or room kept at 23 - 25 &#176;C, where the lifecycle will take around 12 days. NOTE: From the egg, <em>Drosophila </em>progress through four main stages of development: embryo, larva, pupa, and adult. The complete lifecycle takes about 10 days at 25 &#176;C, but it can be affected by temperature. For example, at 18 &#176;C, the lifecycle is about 19 days and at 29 &#176;C, the lifecycle is only seven days.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-5"><div class="lab-step">As an overview, to set up for the student experiment, you will generate vials for each student group containing white eyed virgin female flies only, white eyed males only, red eyed virgin females only, and red eyed males only. These will be referred to as the experimental vials.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-6"><div class="lab-step">When your vials from the supplier arrive, referred to as the stock vials, these will contain a mix of male and female flies, as well as larvae, pupae, and eggs.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-7"><div class="lab-step">Beginning with your stock vials, you will take around 3 - 5 males and the same number of females, keeping white eyed and red eyed flies separate at all times, and place these together into a new nursery vial containing food. NOTE: You can sex the flies using a magnifying glass. Look at the posterior of the fly. Males are slightly smaller and have darker solid pigment on the end of their abdomen. Females are larger and have stripes rather than a solid spot.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-8"><div class="lab-step">You will leave the flies in these nursery vials for around 3 - 5 days to mate and lay eggs.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-9"><div class="lab-step">After this, you will move them back to their stock vials.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-10"><div class="lab-step">Next, you will observe as the eggs and larvae in the nursery vials mature, checking the vials every 6 - 8 hours. As it takes females around 8 - 10 hours to become sexually mature, this should ensure that any females found in the nursery vials are virgin.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-11"><div class="lab-step">As the new adult flies appear, you should transfer them from the nursery to the appropriate experimental tube. For example, if it is a male, transfer it to the experimental male tube for the appropriate eye color. If it is a female, it should be placed in an experimental vial labeled with eye color and virgin female.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-12"><div class="lab-step">Keep adding flies to the appropriate vials until each experimental vial has at least five flies. NOTE: You will need to make enough experimental vials so that each student group has one of each eye color type and sex, with a few class spares. You should create enough nursery vials to account for this. A good rule of thumb is that it generally takes about two weeks for 25 healthy adults to produce about 50 new adults.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-13"><div class="lab-step">To begin the process, first label empty habitats to make the nursery vials to raise larvae and pupae for each strain of flies: red eyed and white eyed.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-14"><div class="lab-step">To move the adult flies into the nursery vial to lay eggs, use an anesthesia wand according to the manufacturer&#39;s instructions, placing it into the stock vial of mature flies. Wait until the animals become unconscious. Now they can be gently tapped onto a piece of white paper and sorted into piles of the same sex using a brush.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-15"><div class="lab-step">Transfer a few male and female flies to the appropriate vial labeled with their eye color phenotype and sex.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-16"><div class="lab-step">Place the nursery vials to incubate at 23 to 25 &#176;C and the flies will lay eggs.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-17"><div class="lab-step">Remove the adults after 3 - 4 days using anesthesia and put them back into the stock vial.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-18"><div class="lab-step">Remove any adult flies that have eclosed in the 6 - 8 hour period using an anesthesia wand.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-19"><div class="lab-step">Then, tip out the adults onto paper and sort them into groups based on their sex before placing each fly into an appropriate experimental vial marked male or virgin female and red or white for the phenotype. NOTE: Each experimental vial should contain five flies. Once this number is reached, then a new vial should be started. If you miss the 6 - 8 hour window, females may not be virgins, so these should be discarded into a morgue tube containing 70% ethanol or returned to the stock vial. Males do not need to be virgins, but do need to be kept in male only containers.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-20"><div class="lab-step">Each lab group will need one tube of five virgin red eyed females, one of five virgin white eyed females, one tube of red eyed males, and one of five white eyed males. In addition, they will need a morgue vial containing ethanol, two anesthesia wands, fly anesthetic, a paintbrush, a magnifying glass, some plain paper, and two empty fly vials for crosses.
</div></li></ul></li></ol>

Genetics of Organisms: REF and WEF Fly Genetics - Prep

Genetyka organizmów

REF and WEF Fly Genetics
ExpandTo prepare for the experiment, be sure to obtain cultures of Drosophila melanogaster at least two weeks ahead of the ...

Genetics

Artificial Selection

<ol class="note-items"><li data-note-item="1" data-parent-collapse="">Observing Artificial Selection in Plants 
<button class="expand">Expand</button><ul class="lab-items"><li data-sub-note-item="1-1"><div class="lab-step">To begin the experiment, collect five two-week old grown plants from the generation one population that appear healthy. Note: Plants should appear green, not wilted, and not have damaged leaves. Experimental Hypothesis: The experimental hypothesis for this lab might be that the number of lead trichomes varies naturally, but the average number will increase over generations if only plants with the highest number of trichomes are interbred or decrease if those with the least are interbred. Null Hypothesis: The null hypothesis might be that the average number of trichomes will not change over subsequent generations after artificial selection.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-2"><div class="lab-step">Label each plant with a letter from A to E and with both partners&#8217; names.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-3"><div class="lab-step">Record any natural differences you see between your plant samples. Note: All of the plants are the same age, so any observed variation is due to expressed phenotype, not development.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-4"><div class="lab-step">Use a hand lens to count the number of trichomes found on the petiole of the lowest leaf, not including the round, first-grown cotyledons for each plant. Note: It can be helpful to shine a light onto the plant and to hold it against a dark background, such as a lab bench, during the trichome analysis. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-5"><div class="lab-step">Both partners will conduct counts on each plant independently and compare answers. If the counts are different, enlist a third counter or take the average of the two results.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-6"><div class="lab-step">After this, determine the median number of trichomes for the entire class.  <a target="__blank" style="display:block;padding:20px;" href="https://www.jove.com/CDNSource/lm/labs/2/Lab_2_Table_A.xlsx">Click Here to download Table A</a>
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-7"><div class="lab-step">Determine the top and bottom 10% of the plants from the class trichome count. These groups will make up the two artificially selected lines: high hairiness and low hairiness, respectively.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-8"><div class="lab-step">If more than 10% of the plants have no trichomes, select 10% of those plants randomly for the low hairiness plant line.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-9"><div class="lab-step">Separate the two groups of selected plants and label them clearly.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-10"><div class="lab-step">Move the plants to a well-lit area and keep them well watered until they develop flowers. Note: Flowers typically develop around 14 days.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-11"><div class="lab-step">When the flowers are fully developed, use a pollination wand or paintbrush to rub the stigma and anther of one plant&#8217;s flowers for a few seconds.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-12"><div class="lab-step">Using the same wand or brush, rub the inside of each flower of every other plant in the same selection line.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-13"><div class="lab-step">Using a different wand or brush, repeat steps 11 through 12 on the other line. Note: Take care not to cross the lines. Spread the pollen only among the appropriately selected plants.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-14"><div class="lab-step">Return the generation one plants to the growing areas. When the plants reach approximately 1 month old, they should produce mature seed pods.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-15"><div class="lab-step">Allow the plants to dry out once the seed pods turn yellow.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-16"><div class="lab-step">Break the seed pods open and collect the seeds.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-17"><div class="lab-step">Obtain new pots for the generation two seeds.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-18"><div class="lab-step">Fill the pots with moist potting soil about halfway and add a fertilizer pellet to each pot.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-19"><div class="lab-step">Fill the pots with more soil to fill just below the lip.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-20"><div class="lab-step">Make a shallow depression in the soil of each pot with a probe.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-21"><div class="lab-step">Touch a clean toothpick to a gluestick and use the toothpick to transplant the seeds into the soil one by one.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-22"><div class="lab-step">Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-23"><div class="lab-step">Label the pots with their hairiness line and place them in the designated growing area.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-24"><div class="lab-step">Use a plastic dropper to water the plants as needed to ensure they do not dry out.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-25"><div class="lab-step">When the plants are two weeks old, collect five plants from each line and label them A to E.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-26"><div class="lab-step">Then, count the trichomes on these plants as previously described (steps 4- 5).
<a target="__blank" style="display:block;padding:20px;" href="https://www.jove.com/CDNSource/lm/labs/2/Lab_2_Table_B.xlsx">Click Here to download Table B</a>
</div></li></ul></li><li data-note-item="2" data-parent-collapse="">Data Analysis
<button class="expand">Expand</button><ul class="lab-items"><li data-sub-note-item="2-1"><div class="lab-step">Create a frequency graph based on the generation one class data with the trichome count on the x axis and the number of plants on the y axis. Label the mean. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-2"><div class="lab-step">Then, create frequency graphs for both of the selected hairiness lines.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-3"><div class="lab-step">Compare the frequency graphs for generation one and both hairiness lines.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-4"><div class="lab-step">Take note of phenotypic shifts observed in the selected hairiness lines.
</div></li></ul></li></ol>

Artificial Selection: Visualization in Plants and Data Analysis - Procedure

Sztuczna selekcja

Observing Artificial Selection in Plants 
ExpandTo begin the experiment, collect five two-week old grown plants from the generation one population that ...

Evolution

Physiology of the Circulatory System

<ol class="note-items"><li data-note-item="1" data-parent-collapse="">Measuring Circulatory System Function in Humans
<button class="expand">Expand</button><ul class="lab-items"><li data-sub-note-item="1-1"><div class="lab-step">Before starting the experiment go to the front of the room and collect an alcohol swab, a sphygmomanometer, and a stethoscope.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-2"><div class="lab-step">Clean the earpieces with the alcohol swab and then insert them into your ears.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-3"><div class="lab-step">To check if the stethoscope is in the on position, gently tap the flat metal disc called the diaphragm.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-4"><div class="lab-step">If you hear a sound it&#39;s on. If not, turn the metal disc and tap again and keep turning and tapping the disc until you hear a sound. NOTE: For this experiment you will work in pairs. One person will measure their partner&#39;s blood pressure, while the person being measured will count their heartbeats over the course of one minute.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-5"><div class="lab-step">Fill out table one with the name of the person being monitored. HYPOTHESES: The experimental hypothesis is that systolic blood pressure will be higher when the person is sitting when compared to lying down because more pressure is required for blood to be moved around the body. The null hypothesis is that there will be no difference in systolic blood pressure whether a person is sitting or lying down.<a href="https://www.jove.com/CDNSource/lm/labs/9/Table_1_Physiology_of_Circulatory_System.xlsx" style="display:block;margin:20px;" target="__blank">Click Here to download Table 1</a>
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-6"><div class="lab-step">The person being monitored should begin by lying down. Next, they will need to locate their pulse by placing two fingers next to their windpipe. If a throbbing sensation is felt, this is the pulse.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-7"><div class="lab-step">Now, ready a time keeping device to count out 1 minute as the person taking their pulse will be having their blood pressure taken at the same time.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-8"><div class="lab-step">At this point, the person measuring blood pressure should place the cuff of the sphygmomanometer around the other arm of the subject and the stethoscope earpieces into their own ears.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-9"><div class="lab-step">Start the timer.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-10"><div class="lab-step">The person being monitored should begin counting the number of heartbeats felt over one full minute. While the subject is taking their pulse, the person taking blood pressure should place the diaphragm of the stethoscope under the cuff on the inside of their partner&#39;s elbow.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-11"><div class="lab-step">Then, pump the cuff to 200 mm of mercury.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-12"><div class="lab-step">Gently and slowly twist the metal knob on the sphygmomanometer to release air from the cuff.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-13"><div class="lab-step">As pressure is released the first Korotkoff sound should be heard. The corresponding value on the sphygmomanometer is the systolic blood pressure. Consistent sounds should be heard until they die out with the last sound signifying the diastolic blood pressure.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-14"><div class="lab-step">Record the systolic pressure, the diastolic pressure, and the heart rate in Table 1.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-15"><div class="lab-step">Now, repeat the blood pressure and pulse measurements with each partner keeping the same role but this time the subject should be sitting upright.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-16"><div class="lab-step">Record these data in the appropriate places in Table 1.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-17"><div class="lab-step">Finally, the partners should switch spots. So now, the person measuring blood pressure should be taking their pulse and acting as the subject.  NOTE: Be sure to wipe the earpieces of the stethoscope between users and don&#39;t forget to record your measurements in Table 1.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-18"><div class="lab-step">After finishing the experiment, discard all alcohol swabs into the trash. Then, bring the sphygmomanometer and stethoscope back to the front of the room.
</div></li></ul></li><li data-note-item="2" data-parent-collapse="">Measuring Respiratory Rate in Fish
<button class="expand">Expand</button><ul class="lab-items"><li data-sub-note-item="2-1"><div class="lab-step">To prepare for this second experiment, collect two clear containers.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-2"><div class="lab-step">Begin by filling half of one container with aquarium water.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-3"><div class="lab-step">Then, use a fish net to gently catch a goldfish and place it into the cup. Pinch the net around the fish or else it may jump out of the net.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-4"><div class="lab-step">Familiarize yourself with the operculum of the fish. The operculum covers the gills and it is located behind and below the eye. When the fish respires the operculum moves in and out and this is one gill beat. HYPOTHESES: In this experiment you will measure the gill beats of the fish in different water temperatures. The hypothesis is that there will be a significant correlation between the temperature and respiration rate in goldfish. The null hypothesis is that there will be no correlation between temperature and respiration rate.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-5"><div class="lab-step">Take the other empty container with a screw cap, the cup with your fish, and the net to the water tanks.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-6"><div class="lab-step">Then, fill the empty container with the water from the lowest temperature water bath. This will act as your first respiration rate chamber.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-7"><div class="lab-step">Next, hold the fish net over a wastewater container and dump out the water from the cup holding the fish so that the fish falls into the net. Pinch the net around the fish without touching the fish itself.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-8"><div class="lab-step">Bring the net over the top of the container with the bath water and let go of the net to release the fish into the vial.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-9"><div class="lab-step">Once the fish is in the container, submerge it back into the water bath and then screw the cap on to prevent outside oxygen from entering the vial.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-10"><div class="lab-step">Next, remove the container from the controlled temperature water bath and place it on your workbench surface to avoid warming the water with body heat.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-11"><div class="lab-step">One partner should immediately begin counting the gill beats as soon as the second partner starts the stopwatch.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-12"><div class="lab-step">Continue counting the beats for 20 seconds. Record the number of beats in column A of Table 2. <a href="https://www.jove.com/CDNSource/lm/labs/9/Table_2_Physiology_of_Circulatory_System.xlsx" style="display:block;margin:20px;" target="__blank">Click Here to download Table 2</a>
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-13"><div class="lab-step">Repeat the measurement one more time and record the number in column B.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-14"><div class="lab-step">Next, hold the fish net over a wastewater container and dump out the water from the fish vial so that the fish falls into the net.  IMPORTANT: Move from lowest to highest temperature, so the fish is not stressed between trials.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-15"><div class="lab-step">Repeat the experiment for the remaining four temperature conditions (steps 8 &#8211; 13).
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-16"><div class="lab-step">Record all the values for different temperatures in Table 2.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="2-17"><div class="lab-step">Once you are done, slowly mix water from the last respiration chamber with the fish tank water and then return the fish to the home tank. NOTE: This should be done over the course of approximately 10 minutes.
</div></li></ul></li><li data-note-item="3" data-parent-collapse="">Results
<button class="expand">Expand</button><ul class="lab-items"><li data-sub-note-item="3-1"><div class="lab-step">It&#39;s time to analyze the data that you just collected. Look at the blood pressure and heart rate measurements for the different trials. If they were different, make a hypothesis to explain your observations. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="3-2"><div class="lab-step">For the gill beat experiment, average the numbers in columns A and B and calculate the fish respiration rate as gill beats per minute.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="3-3"><div class="lab-step">Next, plot the graph of temperature versus gill beats per minute.
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="3-4"><div class="lab-step">Record any correlations you see between the variables. If a correlation is observed, determine if it is positive or negative and provide an explanation for this result.  NOTE: Consider the fact that fishes are ectotherms and the impact of temperature on dissolved oxygen.
</div></li></ul></li></ol>