Before you can complete this assignment, you need to click here log in to Gizmos.
Use ISWAewiner as the username.
Select Biology B T3 as the class.
Select your name from the student list.
Select Gizmos.
Enter your password.
Your password is the first letter of first name, full last name, grade number
Example: KMartin12
Include hypens, spaces, Jr, etc, if you have multiple parts in your last name. Examples: KDuncan-Martin12, K Martin Duncan, Kmartin Duncan III12
Still need help? E-mail ewiner@k12insightwa.org
In order to complete this assignment, you will need to use the Rabbit Population by Season Gizmo. Click the link to open the Gizmo in a new tab.
A population is a group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area. The size of a population is determined by many factors. In the Rabbit Population by Season Gizmo, you will see how different factors influence how a rabbit population grows and changes.
Select the BAR CHART tab and check the "Show value" box. What is the initial size of the rabbit population?
Use the control the play through one full year. Use the TABLE and GRAPH tabs to observe the changes in population.
In which season did the rabbit population increase the most?
In which season did the rabbit population increase the least?
Click Reset to reset the Gizmo.
Question: What determines how large a population can grow?
A limiting factor is any factor that controls the growth of a population.
Reset the Gizmo. Select the DESCRIPTION tab. Set the Simulation speed to Fast. Select the GRAPH tab. Click Play, and allow the simulation to run for at least 10 years. (Note: You can use the zoom controls on the right to see the whole graph.)
Describe how the rabbit population changed over the course of 10 years:
What pattern did you see repeated every year? How could you explain this pattern?
The carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an environment can support. All environments have carrying capacities.
What is this environment’s approximate carrying capacity for rabbits?
Approximately which year did the rabbit population reach carrying capacity? Explain how you know.
Predict: Suppose a shopping mall is built near a rabbit warren, leaving less land available for rabbits. The environment’s carrying capacity would
Experiment: Use the Gizmo to find the carrying capacity with Ample, Moderate, and Little land. What were your results?
Ample:
Moderate:
Little:
Analyze: As the amount of space decreased, the number of rabbits the environment could support
Other than space, what might be another density-dependent limiting factor? Explain.