Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Barometer Lab


We created a device similar to the one portrayed above in class.  This is a homemade barometer.  This device measures atmospheric pressure.  As the pressure changes, the straw will go up or down.  Below are the results of the experiment.







Mitochondrial Eve and Mitochondrial DNA

The purpose of this lab is to explain who Mitochondrial Eve is and show examples of different people across the world who have a different physical appearance.  Though people have many different physical features, they come from one single person, Mitochondrial Eve.  Mitochondrial Eve is the human we trace all of our DNA to.  DNA is traced back through the female gender.  This Mitochondrial DNA is copied nearly perfectly from the female.  This means that we can successfully trace or DNA all of the way back to the Mitochondrial Eve.



Russian:

Anna Kournikova


Morocco:

Hind Sahli



Japan:

Aya Suzuki



Nigeria:

Oluchi Onweagba



Puerto Rico:

Roselyn Sanchez Rodriguez






Map Lab

Choropleth map- A map where areas of the map are shaded to show the thing that is being measured.  The different shades make it easier for the viewer to distinguish the particular area they are looking at.  The map below shows the percentage of individuals living in poverty.



Dot Density Map-  A map where population is shown through dots.  The more dots are in an area, the more densely populated the area is.  The areas with little to no dots have a low population.  The map below shows the amount of farms in America.



Proportional Symbol Map-  A map that uses a certain symbol that varies in size to show whatever the map is measuring.  The larger the size of the symbol, the greater number of the thing being measured.  The map below shows the number of murders in the United States.



Isopleth Map-  A map that gives depth to a certain location.  It gives a three dimensional look.  The maps in many cases are used to show the concentration of things.  The map below shows Hydrogen ion concentration across the United States.






Tree Identification Lab

Oak Tree
Quercus

The Oak Tree is native to the Northern Hemisphere.  North America has the most Oak Trees with China being second.  There is one Oak in Louisiana that is estimated to be over 1,500 years old.


Broom Shrub
Cytisus scoparius


The Broom Shrub is most common in Europe, Asia, and Africa.  Specifically common in the Mediterranean region.  The shrub is typically between one and three meters tall.  Most species contain yellow flowers.

Pine Tree
Pinus


The pine tree is native to mainly the northern Hemisphere.  It is most common in the Southeastern United States.  There between 105 and 125 different species of pine.  Many are harvested for Christmas trees.


Barberry Shrub
Berberis vulgaris


The Barberry shrub is native to southern Europe, northwest Africa, and western Asia.  Most of these shrubs grow to around four meters high.  The Barberry tends to have small oval leaves.  It is a deciduous shrub.

Sycamore Tree
Platanus occidentalis


The Sycamore tree is native to North America.  The tree can grow up to thirty or forty meters in height.  The largest Sycamore tree recorded grew to fifty-one meters tall.