FIELD RESEARCH NOTEBOOK

TASK -- Part 1: THE PAMAMMAL NICHE

You discovered a new mammal in Central Pennsylvania near Harrisburg, PA. You named the

organism, Pamammal.

Harrisburg, PA, is located in what type of biome? __________________________________1.

Complete the chart below indicating five biotic and abiotic factors of the Pamammals

biome:

Table 1: Characteristic Biotic and Abiotic Factors of the Pamammals Biome

Biotic Factors Abiotic Factors

1. 1.

2. 2.

3. 3.

4. 4.

5. 5.

2.

Name:

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3. A sample of the stomach contents was taken from the Pamammal. The sample was found

to contain partially digested grass, acorns, and grasshoppers. Would you identify this species as

a carnivore, herbivore, or omnivore?

4. Explain the reason for your answer to question #3.

______________________________________________________________________________ 5. Given your knowledge of the Pamammal biome, identify other members of their community

that would be classified into the following trophic levels. Please include the following and

record your responses in the table below.

Five producers

Five primary consumers

Four secondary consumers

Two tertiary consumers

One decomposer

Table 2

Trophic Level Organism 1 Organism 2 Organism 3 Organism 4 Organism 5

Producers

Primary

Consumers

Secondary

Consumers

Tertiary

Consumers

Decomposer

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6. Draw a food web that includes the Pamammal, 3 producers, 3 primary consumer, 2

secondary consumer, 1 tertiary consumer, and a decomposer.

Monitor Checkpoint #1: _____

7. Select 2 biotic and 2 abiotic factors identified in Table 1 (See question 2.) and explain how each factor

may limit the population of Pamammals.

Table 3

Factor Explanation

Biotic 1.

2.

Abiotic 1.

2.

8. Two Patigers escape from a local zoo. They reproduce rapidly, and their new favorite food is

Pamammals.

Using the data in Table 4, create a graph that displays the population numbers of Patigers and

Pamammals over a ten-year period. {You may choose to use excel or a similar program.}

NOTE: This graph should be included in your electronic presentation!!

Using the graph you constructed, analyze the pattern in the populations between Patigers and

Pamammals. Be sure to include an explanation of the population data in 2016-2017.

Table 4

Year Patigers Pamammals

2012 50 5000

2013 60 4700

2014 80 4000

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2015 120 2000

2016 125 500

2017 20 200

2018 20 250

2019 30 280

2020 50 850

2021 70 2500

Monitor Checkpoint #2: _____

TASK PART 2: PAMAMMAL GENETICS: Evidence of a New Species

You have taken skin samples from the Pamammal and viewed them under the microscope. Below is an

image of what one cell looks like.

9. Based on this image, how many different chromosome pairs does a Pamammal have? ____

10. If you were to view an egg or sperm cell from a Pamammal, how many chromosomes

would it have? _________________

11. If the skin cell above were going through a nuclear division,

* Would this nuclear division process be Mitosis or Meiosis? _________________

* How many chromosomes would you expect to see in the nucleus of the new cells that are

formed? _______________

12. In Pamammals fur color is an inherited trait controlled by one pair of alleles where one

form is clearly dominant over the other form. Pamammals have either Brown or Grey fur color.

Two brown Pamammals mate and produce 12 offspring. Three (25%) of the offspring produced

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are grey and nine (75%) are brown. Based on this data, determine which trait is dominant and

which trait is recessive.

Dominant Fur Color = _________________ Letter symbol for this allele = ________________

Recessive Fur Color = __________________ Letter symbol for this allele = ________________

13. Use a Punnett Square below to show the genotypes of the parents that would produce the

given offspring.

PHENOTYPES FOR THE PARENTS: ___________ AND ____________

GENOTYPES FOR THE PARENTS: ___________ AND _____________

14. Below is a DNA Sequence of the Pamammal gene that codes for fur color. Based on the

DNA sequence, transcribe the RNA sequence. Next, use the RNA sequence and one of the two

tables provided to translate the amino acid sequence.

PAMAMMAL - DNA, RNA, AND AMINO ACID SEQUENCE:

DNA: TTA TAC CGG CCT AGT AAA ATG CAC

RNA: ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ ________ ________

AMINO

ACID : ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ ________ ________

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Table 5 Table 6

NOTE: Either table given may be used to determine the amino acid. Choose the one with which

you are the most familiar. You may either record the full name or the first three letters of the

name shown in the tables. (For example: Lysine or Lys would be acceptable.)

15. Repeat the procedure used in question 14 for 3 additional organisms: Coyote, Deer, and

Beaver. Remember to use Tables 5 and/or 6 to translate your amino acid sequence.

COYOTE - DNA, RNA, AND AMINO ACID SEQUENCE:

DNA: TTA TAC CGG GTA AGT CCC ATG GAC

RNA: ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ ________ ________

AMINO

ACID: ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ ________ ________

DEER - DNA, RNA, AND AMINO ACID SEQUENCE:

DNA: TTA TAC CAA GAT ATA GGG ATG GAC

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RNA: ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ ________ ________

AMINO

ACID: ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ ________ ________

BEAVER - DNA, RNA, AND AMINO ACID SEQUENCE:

DNA: TTA TAC CGG CCT AGT TTT ATG GAC

RNA: ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ ________ ________

AMINO

ACID: ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ _________ ________ ________

16. A new fur color appears in the Pamammal population. This new form of the trait was

caused by a random mutation that occurred during meiosis. This mutation causes the fur to

appear white instead of brown or grey.

The mutated DNA sequence for white fur is as follows: TTA TAC CGG GCT AGT AAA ATG CAC.

Using the mutated DNA sequence, determine the trascribed RNA sequence. Next, use the RNA

sequence and one of the two tables provided above to translate the amino acid sequence

just like you did in the previous activity

PAMAMMAL MUTATED DNA SEQUENCE FOR WHITE FUR COLOR

Mutated DNA: TTA TAC CGG GCT AGT AAA ATG CAC

RNA: _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ ________ _______ _______

AMINO

ACIDS: _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ ________ _______ _______

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17. Using the information below, what type of mutation occurred? ___________________

Original Pamammal DNA: TTA TAC CGG CCT AGT AAA ATG CAC

Mutated Pammmal DNA: TTA TAC CGG GCT AGT AAA ATG CAC

(Hint: Look at the amino acid sequences you translated for the original and mutated Pamammals. Even

one amino acid substitution can result in a different phenotype.)

Monitor Checkpoint #3: _____

TASK PART 3: PAMAMMAL EVOLUTION: Evidence of a New Species

18. Remember that the Pamammals native biome is the Temperate Deciduous Forest. Explain

whether the mutation for white fur color could be an advantage or disadvantage in this

environment and explain why you believe so.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Below is a graph that represents the current allele frequencies for the Pamammal

population living in the Temperate Deciduous Forest.

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If the winter season in the Temperate Deciduous forest is extended from a 3-month period to a

9-month period of time, predict how natural selection could impact the change in the allele

frequencies for fur color of this population after many years. Explain the basis for your

prediction AND create a graph to represent what your new allele frequencies may be. NOTE:

The graph above and your newly created graph should be included in your presentation.

20. After speaking with other scientists, a hypothesis was developed which states that the Pamammal is

closely related to another Pennsylvania mammal species and has evolved to live a more terrestrial

life than its closest relative. (Note: Terrestrial = land, Aquatic = water)

Read the physical descriptions of all of the organisms listed below, view the paw prints, and revisit

the amino acid sequences you created in the previous activity.

Organism Length Weight Physical Description Paw Prints Amino Acid

Sequence (Complete from Question #14 and #15.)

Pamammal 12-15 in

36-45 cm

5-8 lbs

2-4 kg

Large flat tail; thick fluffy

fur that may be brown or

grey; large claws; teeth

that continuously grow;

ALL

ELE

F

RE

QU

EN

CY

(%

)

Fur Color

Create or insert your new graph here.

brown grey white

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teeth designed for

gnawing

Coyote 30-40 in

70-130

cm

20-45

lbs

8-20 kg

coat color white, grey,

brown, or a mixture; Long

furry tail; dentations

(teeth) similar to a dog

with long canine teeth;

teeth designed for ripping

and tearing; all four paws

are the same size with

small claws

White Tail

Deer

3.5 ft tall

1-1.5 m

100-250

lbs

60-100

kg

simple brown coloration

with white underbelly;

small brown tail with a

white underside and

white fluffy end; has

hooves instead of paws;

dew claw present; teeth

and jaw are designed for

grinding

Beaver 24-50 in

60-110

cm

20-60

lbs 12-

27 kg

large flat tail; brown

coarse hair that is water

proof; teeth that grow

continuously; long claws

21. After reviewing the data in the above chart, determine the Pamammals closest relative.

Closest Relative = __________________________________________________________

Cite evidence why you think the organism you chose is the closest relative.

_________________________________________________________________________

22. What are four differences between the Pamammal and its closest relative and how might each

difference stated be an advantage for living on land?

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Differences Advantage for Living on Land

1.

2.

3.

4.

Monitor Checkpoint #4: _____

Table 7

1 Harrisburg PA is located in what type of biome: 5 Given your knowledge of the Pamammal biome identify other members of their community: Producers: Organism 4Producers: Organism 5Producers: Primary Consumers: Organism 4Primary Consumers: Organism 5Primary Consumers: Secondary Consumers: Organism 4Secondary Consumers: Decomposer: Monitor Checkpoint 1: Biotic: Abiotic: 2012: 50: 5000: 2013: 60: 4700: 2014: 80: 4000: 2015: 120: 2000: 2016: 125: 500: 2017: 20: 200: 2018: 20_2: 250: 2019: 30: 280: 2020: 50_2: 850: 2021: 70: 2500: Monitor Checkpoint 2: 9 Based on this image how many different chromosome pairs does a Pamammal have: would it have: Would this nuclear division process be Mitosis or Meiosis: formed: which trait is recessive: Letter symbol for this allele: Letter symbol for this allele 1: Letter symbol for this allele 2: 13 Use a Punnett Square below to show the genotypes of the parents that would produce the: given offspring: AND: undefined: PHENOTYPES FOR THE PARENTS: AND_2: DNA TTA TAC CGG CCT AGT AAA ATG CAC: undefined_6: undefined_7: undefined_8: undefined_9: undefined_10: undefined_11: undefined_12: ACID: undefined_13: undefined_14: undefined_15: undefined_16: undefined_17: undefined_18: undefined_19: DNA TTA TAC CGG GTA AGT CCC ATG GAC: undefined_20: undefined_21: undefined_22: undefined_23: undefined_24: undefined_25: undefined_26: AMINO: undefined_27: undefined_28: undefined_29: undefined_30: undefined_31: undefined_32: undefined_33: RNA: undefined_34: undefined_35: undefined_36: undefined_37: undefined_38: undefined_39: undefined_40: AMINO_2: undefined_41: undefined_42: undefined_43: undefined_44: undefined_45: undefined_46: undefined_47: DNA TTA TAC CGG CCT AGT TTT ATG GAC: undefined_48: undefined_49: undefined_50: undefined_51: undefined_52: undefined_53: undefined_54: AMINO_3: undefined_55: undefined_56: undefined_57: undefined_58: undefined_59: undefined_60: undefined_61: RNA_2: undefined_62: undefined_63: undefined_64: undefined_65: undefined_66: undefined_67: undefined_68: ACIDS: undefined_69: undefined_70: undefined_71: undefined_72: undefined_73: undefined_74: undefined_75: 17 Using the information below what type of mutation occurred: Monitor Checkpoint 3: environment and explain why you believe so 1: Create or insert your new graph here: Amino Acid Sequence Complete from Question 14 and 15Large flat tail thick fluffy fur that may be brown or grey large claws teeth that continuously grow: teeth designed for ripping: dew claw present teeth: coarse hair that is water: 21 After reviewing the data in the above chart determine the Pamammals closest relative: Cite evidence why you think the organism you chose is the closest relative: Advantage for Living on Land1: Advantage for Living on Land2: Advantage for Living on Land3: Advantage for Living on Land4: Monitor Checkpoint 4: Abiotic Factors1: Abiotic Factors2: Abiotic Factors3: Abiotic Factors4: Abiotic Factors5: Biotic Factors1: Biotic Factors2: Biotic Factors3: Biotic Factors4: Biotic Factors5: Stomach: 5 five producers: 5 five consumers: 5 four secondary consumers: 5 two tertiary consumers: 5 decomposer: Organism 3Producers: Organism 2Producers: Organism 3Primary Consumers: Organism 2Primary Consumers: Organism 3Secondary Consumers: Organism 2Secondary Consumers: Tertiary Consumers: 2Tertiary Consumers: 6 food wed: 7 2 Factor biotic: 7 1 Factor: 7 1 Factor abiotic: 7 2 Factor abiotic: 7 1 Explanation: 7 2 Explanation: 7 3 Explanation: 7 4 Explanation: 13 1: 13 2: 13 3: 13 4: 13 left t: 13 left bottom: Differences 1: Differences 2: Differences 3: Differences 4: Notes: Name: