YOUR NAME:
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(1) Authentic Assessment Option 2
To complete this assessment, you will have to do the following:
Preliminary Observations:
Please find the following two habitats in your area:
1. A 'Wild' Habitat, such as a lake, pond, swamp, marshland, forest that has been
left alone by people in a 'reasonable' sense. in other words, it is an area that people
may visit, but not modify.
2. A 'Human Modified Habitat' such as a park, a landscaped garden, a golf
course, etc.
I. Briefly describe each area
II. Find three kinds of plants, three kinds of animals, and three kinds of fungi in the
wild habitat. Write down their names; common names are fine, such as squirrels,
robins, oak trees, salamanders etc
III. Try to find the same kinds of animals, plants and fungi in the human modified
area. Write down what you found.
Applied Assessment:
From your findings, select one plant, animal, or fungus that you found on the "wild
side" habitat that was not present on the human-modified side. For this species:
1. Propose a hypothesis that explains the lack of success of the species in the
modified environment.
2. Design an experiment to test your hypothesis. Provide a detailed account of the
materials and methods used to conduct the experiment. Also include the methods
for data collection and analysis.
3. Conduct a literature search to find studies that identify factors that contribute to
the success of your species in the selected habitat. List those factors, and explain
how they help the species survive.
4. Conduct a literature search to find studies that identify factors that contribute to
the lack of success of your species in the selected habitat. List those factors, and
explain how they did not help the species to survive. Discuss whether these factors
support your hypothesis.
(2) Authentic Assessment Option 1
Design an experiment in which you will test the effect of an acidic fluid on
enzymatic activity. (Recall: enzymes are proteins.) To complete this project, it may
be useful for you to review the Scientific Method Tutorial (found the Course
Content section of the classroom under the Science Learning Center link) and the
Scientific Method lab (Lab 1), so that you can better understand how to design an
experiment. It may also be helpful for you to review your textbook and Lab 4
(Enzymes). As you review Lab 4, you will be reminded that there are several
factors that impact enzymatic activity: pH, temperature, and amount of
reagent. Feel free to refer to observations and information from Lab 4 as you
complete the questions required in the Final Applied Project (see the questions
below).
As you design your experiment for this project, please remember that you are
trying to examine how an acidic fluid will modify the outcome of an enzymatic
reaction. To successfully complete this project, you will need to identify the
question(s) being asked in your experiment and the hypothesis that you are
testing. In your experimental design, you must clearly explain what you are doing.
That means that you will need to identify the enzyme and the acid, as well as
explain your experimental protocol (this information will help you to answer
question 2). You must also thoroughly explain how the addition of the acidic fluid
impacted the overall reaction process (this information will help you to answer
question 4).
Hint: Keep in mind that the acid will change the environmental conditions of
the experiment (for example, a low pH value could change the shape of the
active site on the enzyme protein), without directly participating in the
reaction.
Lab Materials
You may need the following, depending on your experimental design:
Materials in your lab kit:
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none
Additional materials you may need:
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plastic beakers or cups
hydrogen peroxide solution (from Lab 4)
yeast (from Lab 4)
sample of fresh meat, about 1 cm cubed in size (unprocessed and uncooked,
e.g., liver, steak, fish, or poultry—particularly organs)
sample of fresh vegetable, about 1 cm cubed in size (e.g., potatoes or other
root vegetables)
a pen for labeling the beakers or cups
a ruler with centimeter markings
Remember, the goal of this project is for you to evaluate the effect of an acid on
enzymatic activity. As part of this assignment, you must identify your source of
enzyme and the acid used. As you work though this project, you must also make
sure that the following questions/points are addressed:
1. What question are you asking? Clearly state your hypothesis.
2. Design an experiment. Provide a detailed account of the materials and methods
used to conduct the experiment. Also include the methods for data collection and
analysis.
3. Conduct the experiment and record your results below. What did you observe?
Which samples showed bubbling?
4. Use your knowledge about enzymes to interpret your results. It may be
necessary for you to refer to your textbook. What effect does the acid have on the
enzyme?
5. Was your hypothesis supported? What is your conclusion?
6. Cite all references used to complete your Final Applied Project.
Grading Criteria for the Final Applied Lab Project:
You may earn up to 50 (fifty) points for this project, which will contribute 22% to
your final grade. The success of this assignment depends on the thoroughness of
your experiments and habitat investigation, your experimental design, your
observation skills, the literature search, and analytical interpretation skills. I would
prefer that you do Option 2, but Option 1 is, of course, acceptable as well. I will
provide you with more detailed grading information for e