VERTEBRATE RESEARCH PROJECT

1.   Obtain approval of your selected vertebrate from your teacher.

2.   Refer to a variety of sources including books, magazines, videos,      Internet, encyclopedias.  You will need to use at least four sources and reference your sources of information as you do in Language Arts. Use Citation machine.  Write citations on paper to be handed in with your report.

3.  Research  how your vertebrate’s various body parts are suited to their functions and research the vertebrate’s habitat. 

4. Remember to research both internal and external structures.  Your final report must include the scientific name of your vertebrate and at lest five structures and how they are suited for performing functions.  Explain how each body part is adapted to suit its function such as eyes and their position on the head, body covering, appendages, Etc.

·        Include in the biotic and abiotic factors that affect your vertebrate.  Examples of biotic factors:

·        Predators, for lack of them

·        Food preferences and supply

·        Population density

·        Other species with which your vertebrate interacts in its habitat

·        Disease

5.  Examples of abiotic (nonliving) factors in the following:

·        Temperature range

·        Precipitation

·        Water

·        Topography

·        Wind

·        Shelter

·        Nesting site and a place to raise young

·        Escape routes for predators.

6.     Include information on the impact of your vertebrate and its habitat on humans and vise versa.  Include drawing, photos, or computer-generated images of your vertebrate’s habitat, preferably with an image of your vertebrate included.

7.     You will share the research project with the class.  You may create a traditional poster 24x 36 in, a foldout poster,” Wanted” poster, travel brochures, Power-Point presentation.  Any ONE of these may be selected.  You are not turning in a written report.

8.     Is your vertebrate endangered?  Include the following general information about your species in your research:

·        Scientific name ( genus species)

·        Status (endangered or vulnerable)

·        Characteristics( size, diet, and life cycle)

·        Habitat

·        Population estimate

·        Reasons why the species has decreased in number

9.     Include drawings, photos, or computer generated images of your species.

10.                         I  will need to have a draft approved of your report by November 25^th.  This is a rough outline of your report.  It can be a sketch of your report will be positioned on your poster board or the topics of your Prezi or PowerPoint presentation. Your report with final version and references are due on December 4^{th and} 5^th. Presentations will begin on December 4th, and 5^th.

Organisms: Macro to Micro

Homework Options Lessons 2 and viruses/bacteria Choose one option for this week .

Option #1 Science

Research unique ways in which plants ensure that pollination takes place. Present your findings in poster form with illustrations and labels.

Option #2 Science/Careers

Write a ½ to 1 pages about the job of a horticulturist.

Option #3 Science/Technology

Conduct research to see how scientists use biotechnology to cultivate more disease-resistant crops.

Option #4 Science

Research pollination. Write a ½ to 1 page report.

Option #5 Science

Write a ½ page report on pollination in an angiosperm plant.  You can find this on p. 278 in your textbook

Option#6

Research to find out how the leaves of certain plants are adapted to conserve water.  Examples:  How is a cactus different from a fern?

Option#7

Write a ½ to 1 page report on why leaves change color in the fall.

Option#8

Gather a leaf collection and attach each leaf to a  ½ poster.  Use reference books to identify each leaf.  Write common name and scientific name on the poster. You must have at least 8 leaves.

Option#9

Create a seed picture using a variety of seeds. Put it on a stiff board and make no larger than 8X10”.

Option #10 Science/ History

Research and discover how one species of microbe has influenced history in a major way. Write a ½ to 1 page report. Some possible things to explore would be the microbe that caused the bubonic plague, typhoid, and malaria. (See me for other suggestions.)

Option #11 Science

Find out why most viral diseases may be prevented but not cured and why many bacterial diseases may be cured but not easily prevented.

Option #12 Science/History

Research one of the following scientists and write a ½ to 1 page report on why his work was significant: Walter Reed, Louis Pasteur, Jonas Salk, Robert Koch, Alexander Fleming, Edward Jenner, of Lazarro Spallanzani.

Option #13 Science/Technology

Research the history of vaccinations. Prepare a report on how technology has helped the process become more efficient as well as less painful.

Option #14 Science/Technology

Make a list of the vaccinations that you have received in your lifetime. Put the type of vaccination and the year that you received it.