ECO-JAR JOURNAL
Journal Instructions
 All entries must be dated.
 All drawings must be done in pencil, colored pencils.
 All summaries must be written in complete sentences.
 Observations may be written in bullet form, but they should be detailed and descriptive.
Journal 10/26 or 10/27:
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Construct a dated, labeled sketch of your initial eco-jar set-up.
Sketch the appearance of your eco-jar today.
Write observations of the biotic and abiotic changes you see today.
Write a brief summary of how you set up your eco-jar in paragraph form and complete sentences.
o Include answers to the following questions:
1. Describe at least three abiotic factors that must be monitored in the eco-jar.
2. Why is it important to allow the seeds to germinate before adding animals to the eco-jar?
3. Specifically, what is a seed?
4. Why does condensation form on the sides of the jar? What does this tell you?
Journal, 10/29
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Record observations
Answer the questions 1-5 in complete sentences.
In order for the seeds to germinate and begin growing, nitrogen must be obtained from the soil.
1) Explain how nitrogen is recycled in ecosystems. Include the organisms involved.
2) What biomolecules require nitrogen as a component?
3) What are the monomers of each of these biomolecules?
4) As the seeds develop into plants, what vessel will transport nitrogen throughout the plant?
5) What group of plants do your seeds represent? Include all applicable classification levels.
Journal Entry 3 - 11/7- You should have recorded this on the day you introduced the animals to the jar
 Provide the following information about your animals:
o How many types of animals are you introducing to your ecosystem?
o How many of each animal are you placing into the jar?
Journal Entry 4 - Block Day, 11/9 or 11/10
Write a brief summary describing the condition of your today. Include the following points:
 Describe the overall health of the plant growth and an approximation of how many different types of seeds germinated.
 Can you locate the animals you introduced into your Eco-Jar? What is their condition?
 Describe any additional animals introduced.
Answer the following questions:
1) What are three terms that can be used to describe your animals?
3) How will carbon be cycled in your Eco-Jar?
4) If a plant absorbs 100 calories of light energy, how much is available to the animal you placed in the jar?
5) What happened to the energy not available?
Last Journal Entry Block Day 11-16/17
Describe the overall health of the organisms in your eco-jar.
Answer the following questions:
1. Name the energy pathway(s) occurring in your plants.
2. Name the energy pathway(s) occurring in your animals.
3. Where do the plants get their glucose? CO2? O2?
4. Where do the animals get their glucose? CO2? O2
5. Is the energy in your eco-jar recycled? Expain