AP Biology Peanut Variation Lab Results 9-19-12
*Answer the questions below from your lab and insert your frequency data in the form of
a histogram in this document. This will become part of the formal lab report you submit
to Moodle.
Discussion Questions:
1. Look at the data. What is the difference in length between the longest and the shortest
peanut in your sample? Is there variation within your sample? Explain
2. Would you have noticed the differences if you had not measured the peanuts? Explain
3. Do you think that using a small sample is a good way to predict the characteristics of a
large population? Explain.
5. Calculate the mean (average) length of peanuts. The mean is the sum of all measured
divided by the number of individuals measured.
6. What is the mode (highest point) on your histogram? The value of the mode usually is
given as the midpoint of the interval having the highest bar.
7. Find the median length of the peanuts. The median is the middle value when all the
values are arranged in order from smallest to largest.
8. If there were a predator with a small mouth that could only eat peanuts 20mm and
below how this might affect the peanut population? After 5 years how would the lab data
change? Explain. How would it affect the peanut predator population?
9. Do you think there would be any size difference if the objects were from different
plants or grown in different seasons or grown in different geographic regions? Explain.
10. Explain how this lab might be related to a population of birds with variability in beak
length.
11. Explain how this lab might relate to the theory of evolution.