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ANTH 1020-001
ePortfolio Signature Assignment
1.
2.
Introduction:
a. Not knowing how much he would influence the biological world of science,
Charles Darwin set sail on a famous voyage Beagle that took almost five years to
route the ocean. During one of the stops at the Galapagos Islands, Darwin
observed and collected a variety of small birds that inhabited the islands. He
collected 13 varieties of Galapagos finches. He studied the birds physical
characteristics especially their beaks. He noticed how closely related the beaks
were similar yet different. According to a memoir from The Voyage of the Beagle,
Darwin noted, One might really fancy that, from an original paucity of birds in
this archipelago, one species had been taken and modified for different ends.
(Adaptive Radiation: Darwins Finches) It wasnt until after he returned back to
London where he realized the significance of the variation in beak structure. He
realized the bird finches were all different but closely related gearing towards the
principle of natural selection. Darwins concept was that select traits were
possessed and passed on while other traits selected against were prevented from
passing on.
b. Hypothesis:
i.
ii.
3.
served as our stomach. We were to use our item we had to pick up the
sunflower seeds. We were timed for 5 rounds each round increasing in
time. After each round we collected data on who picked up the most and
the least seeds. There were 3 top winners and 3 losers for every round.
4.
Results:
a.
Beak Types
Chopsticks
Large Hair Clips
Small Hair Clips
Clothespins
Chip Clips
Tweezers
Tongs
Binder Clip
Beginning
5
5
2
5
5
5
3
0
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
60 seconds
90 seconds
1:30 seconds
3
6
2
4
7
5
3
0
2
6
2
4
9
3
4
0
1
5
2
3
10
4
4
1
b.
12
10
8
Beginning
Round 1 60 seconds
Round 3 1:30
seconds
2
0
Round 2 90 seconds
Round 4 1:30
seconds
Round 5 1:30 seconds
c.
From the data gathered, the favorable variation that survived and
reproduced the most were the chip clips, tongs, tweezers, large hair clips, small
hair clips and the binder clip and chopsticks were the least favorable.
5.
Conclusion:
a.
b.
c.
c.
6.
Discussion:
a.
b.
Other fields that use the scientific method are other sciences like biology,
and astronomy. Theorists, psychologists and lawyers would use the
method, also.
This activity demonstrated using the scientific method because I observed
the materials presented and the task of using the beak types and I made a
guess or prediction on what the outcome would be. I didnt realize how in
depth data can be observed and I didnt account for variables or outside
factors that influence the favorable outcome, like certain traits, survival
tactics or even the timing.
The theory of evolution by natural selection has
been studied and explored. The underlying assumptions with natural
selection are controversial and evolution is just an idea. Traits are inherited
and passed down from individuals, and depending on their environment
context a trait can be beneficial which would prove reproductive success.
c.
c.
d.
7.
References:
a.
Adaptive Radiation: Darwins Finches Evolution Library. PBS, n.d.
Web. 5 Feb 2015
Jurmain, Robert, Kilgore Lynn and Wenda Trevathan. Essentials of
Physical Anthropology. 9th ed. Wadsworth: CA, 2013. Print.