Pillbug Lab
In this experiment you will observe pillbugs, run a class experiment on the curious insects and
then design your own experiment to test the bugs’ response to the environment. Finally, you will
write an individual lab report and turn it in one week from today. A rubic is on the back, make
sure that you use it and fully answer the prompts.
Part A Procedure:
1. Place 8 pill bugs into the chamber and observe their behavior. Record your observations
below:
2. One way to record your observations of an organism is to make a sketch of it. Sketch a
pillbug below. Be sure to pay important attention to detail in your sketch.
Part B Procedure: “How do pillbugs respond to dry and moist environments?”
1. Obtain a chamber and cover the bottoms of each side with filter paper.
2. Moisten one side of the chamber with drops of water.
3. Place 5 pillbugs on each side of the chamber and allow them to acclimate for 5 minutes.
4. Then, collect data as to the area (moist or dry) the pillbugs are in every consecutive
minute for 10 minutes. Record results below
5. Return the pillbugs to their original container where you obtained them as directed by
your instructor.
1 min
2 min
3 min
4 min
5 min
6 min
7 min
8 min
9 min
10min
# on
Wet
# on
Dry
How did the class data compare to your data? Are there any discrepancies? Explain.
______________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
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Part C Procedures: “Design your own experiment.”
1. With your partners, develop a question that you would like answered about the behavior
of pillbugs. Be sure to include a hypothesis (a proposed answer to your question).
2. Design an experiment that can be completed in class. (Try not to harm my bugs!!)
3. Have your instructor OK the experiment.
4. Write procedures for your experiment, run the experiment, collect data and draw a
conclusion.
5. Return your material and clean your lab desk when you have finished.
Lab Report – Do not include part B of the lab in your report. Write about your groups
experiment. Be sure to answer all questions fully in the report.
Your lab report will be written individually. The report should be typed 12pt font, double
spaced. Use the information below to help guide you through the process. Clearly label and
bold face each subtitle. The paper should be written in paragraph form.
Cover Page – Center the following: Title of Paper, Name, Date, Class Period, Teachers Name
(10 pts)
Introduction – Use information gathered in part A. Define animal behavior, taxis and kinesis in
the introductory paper. How do these term apply to what you observed in the lab? Include your
question and hypothesis from part C. (20 pts)
Procedure – Describe the procedure used to test your hypothesis. (30 pts)
Results – Create a data table for your experiment similar to the one used above and make a line
graph of your results. Clearly label the graph: title, X and Y axis and key.
(20 pts)
Conclusion – Was your hypothesis supported of rejected? Explain your results. Was there
possible room for error in the experiment? Explain. How could you make the experiment better
next time?
(10 pts)
Due Date______________