Olga's Elementary Science Methods 1/2 Blog

 Week 10: Natural Selection March 27, 2027 Preying on Beans Materials 1) What did you learn this week? This week in lab we learned more about natural selection which is the process by which certain traits become more or less common in a population over time. The causes for it are mutation, adaptation, competition, and other environmental factors.   2) Are you able to relate what you learned to what you already knew? In my environmental science class, we did talk about natural selection. They used examples like butterflies, insects, and birds. Here are some examples that were given in class. 3) Which parts did you find clear and which were confusing?  The instructions for the bean activity were fun and easy to follow but it is confusing how this relates to natural selection. I think there needs to be an explanation about how this relates more clearly either before or after the activity. 

  Week 8: What I learned this week? This week, we learned about the four types of mutations:  Deletion- is a mutation in which a section of DNA is lost, or deleted. Insertion- is a mutation in which extra base pairs are inserted into a new place in the DNA. Substation- is a mutation that exchanges one base for another. Rearrangement- is a mutation caused by the crossing over of bases. Are you able to relate what you learned to what you already knew? I already knew that having an extra chromosome can make a person have Down Syndrome but didn't know anything beyond that statement. Now I know it is a random error in cell division that results in the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21. What are new or remaining questions? What is the likelihood of someone being born with an extra chromosome? Are there any factors that can increase the chances?  Plant Update : My table partner and I never got the chance to see our plant fully bloom. It now is dead but I am glad we got ...