Evidence of Work
During this project, we had to research an animal from the IUCN “Amazing Species” list, all of which are endangered or close to being so. Our group chose the giant panda. Mrs. Matthews gave us questions which we had to answer in whatever manner we chose about our animal. Izagani, Kiki, Daniel, and I worked together to make a documentary. I starred as the host of a nature show, while Daniel played multiple side roles, Kiki filmed, and Izagani was a panda mother. After we had gone out and got all of our clips, I made voice overs and Izagani edited it. Our finished product was a five minute long video that answered all of the questions and added some humor.
During this project, we had to research an animal from the IUCN “Amazing Species” list, all of which are endangered or close to being so. Our group chose the giant panda. Mrs. Matthews gave us questions which we had to answer in whatever manner we chose about our animal. Izagani, Kiki, Daniel, and I worked together to make a documentary. I starred as the host of a nature show, while Daniel played multiple side roles, Kiki filmed, and Izagani was a panda mother. After we had gone out and got all of our clips, I made voice overs and Izagani edited it. Our finished product was a five minute long video that answered all of the questions and added some humor.
Content
Evolution: The process by which species change through natural selection and genetic variation into new species or change to better fit their environment. Pandas have evolved unique black markings on their face as well as false toes to help them grasp bamboo. We humans have evolved from apes.
Extinction: When a species is no longer found in the wild, it is extinct. Pandas were on the verge of extinction, but China has made great efforts to protect them and they are making a comeback. Humans have cause thousands of species to go extinct, including the dodo bird, which had no predators and therefore made no attempts to hide when men hunted it to extinction.
Natural Selection: The process of the habitat or predators of an animal causing only the individuals with advantageous traits to survive and pass on their genes. (Survival of the fittest) The pandas that were lucky enough to develop false thumbs were able to grasp bamboo that others could not, so they got to eat, survive, and pass on their genes because of natural selection. You can see this in the real world because only the smartest people become teachers, so there are no unintelligent teachers.
Artificial Selection: This is when non-natural factors, basically just humans, determine which individuals survive and how the species evolves. Since most pandas are under human protection, humans are affecting their survival, which could be considered artificial selection. When we did the bacteria lab, we were artificially selecting the bacteria because we were forcing it to evolve and become immune.
Biodiversity: Biodiversity is all the different types of life in an ecosystem. The ecosystem that pandas live in should have at least two different types of bamboo so that the pandas do not overeat one type and be left with no food supply. The more biodiversity an ecosystem has, the better. Biodiversity balances everything out so that no one dominates but everything survives.
Gene Pool: The gene pool is all of the genes or traits that a population possesses. The panda gene pool has the traits to give them the black markings and false toes everywhere, which is why every single panda is born with them, excepting mutations. The gene pool of a population of blue and green blobs would only have the genes to give the offspring blue or green coloration, because that is all the parents can put into the gene pool.
Mutation: A mutation is a random event that makes a new member of the population be born with a trait or gene that was not in the gene pool. This results from a mistake of the copying of the DNA for the newborn. Mutations are one of the only ways that a gene pool can change, and they are a key factor in evolution. Pandas most likely developed their black markings and false toes through mutations. On the Galapagos Islands, a mutation led to the survival of the tortoises there.
Gene Flow: Gene flow is the transfer of genetic variation or biodiversity away from a population. This is another way to change the gene pool. Because pandas are all pretty much the same due to them living in only one part of the world, gene flow has never really affected them as far as we can tell. However, if there was a bird population of yellow, green, and red birds, and a flock of all the green birds left, then the main population would no longer have the green gene, changing the gene pool.
Shrinking Population: When the population gets drastically smaller for any reason, the gene pool is reduced and has less variation. If that population makes a comeback, then the new population will only have the genes of the survivors of the old generation. If there was a population of pandas with triangular markings around their eyes and oval markings, but there was a disaster and only the ones with the oval markings survived, the the rest of the population would have only oval markings.
Non-random Mating: When animals reproduce, they have preferences, just like humans. The individuals with desirable or advantageous traits usually reproduce more, so they pass on their genes and change the gene pool. If there were a panda with a false toe and one without one, the female would almost certainly mate with the male with the false toe because that trait is advantageous, making it more likely for the offspring with the toe to survive. In exotic birds, the males with the best looking feathers and the flashiest dances get to mate.
Adaptation: An adaptation is a new behavior or trait that a species takes on that is advantageous. Adaptations help a species survive in its habitat. Some mutations lead to adaptations, but some are not considered adaptations because they do not help a species survive. An example of an adaptation by the panda is its tendency to eat nearly 99% bamboo for its diet because it lives in bamboo forests. The deer in Novato have adapted to eat peoples' plants in their yards because they are a good source of food.
Speciation: Speciation is the process by which a species splits into two or more different types or possibly new species. The closest relation to the panda is the spectacled bear, which resisdes in south america. These two animals probably had a common ancestor whos population was split by a geographical barrier, causing geographic speciation. The types of speciation include allopatric and sympatric, but geographic isolation, genetic drift, and other factors can also cause speciation.
Reflection
This project was very fun throughout the whole thing. I enjoyed filming and coming up with the script. Perhaps it was because I enjoyed this project so much that I managed to keep a good work ethic over the time we worked. I was always ready to film and do whatever was needed. Another thing that I did well during the Evolution to Extinction project was communication. I told my group what ideas as well as listened to theirs. I suggested that Izagani attack Daniel in one of our scenes, which he did, and it added to our video.
Two things that I had room for improvement on were focus and leadership. In the early part of the project, at least, I wasn't always on task. Sometimes I watched NBA highlights instead of doing research. However, when Ms, Mathews reduced our work time, I focused up. Next project, I will focus from the beggining and keep my chromebook close when I don't need it. I should have stepped up my leadership when my group was not doing any work. I could have rallied them and got some extra work done to improve our project, but I was too lazy. Our research days would have been a great time for this. During the upcoming project, I will make sure to take initiative and keep in mind what is best for the group.