Michele Makhlouf

Partners: Santiago Gavidia and Vania Mitchel

Mr. Bourke
September 19, 2014
Seed Natural Selection Lab
Question: How do specific traits impact the process of natural selection and a populations development of future
generations on the same environment?
Purpose: To understand how does the process of natural selection functions, relating it to evolution, and how
positive traits/mutations prevail, and negative traits/mutations fail to endure in future generations.
Hypothesis: If 4 different traited seed populations (Big White, Small Red, Small White, and Small Black) are
impacted by an accurate representation of natural selection in a grass environment, then the seeds that are smaller
and its pigmentation makes the least contrast with dark-green (grass) color (Small White and Small Black Seeds)
will have a higher survival rate because these two traits create a better camouflage for the designated (grass)
environment, increasing the survival, resulting in increased reproduction and therefore future generations.
Justification:
One of the main points stated by Charles Darwin about the process of natural selection, is that individuals that are
better adapted to their lifestyle have a better chance of surviving to reproduce (Natural Selection). This means
that positive traits that act as a benefit to the specie/organism will prevail among generations due to its ability to
survive and reproduce easier. On the other hand, negative traits will act as a disadvantage to the specie/organism,
leading to disappearance, as the trait will act as a burden that will limit its chances to survive and reproduce.
Therefore we are empowered by this research to firmly state that due to the environment were the seeds will be
scattered (grassdark green color), the seeds that naturally have better camouflage will be able to survive and
reproduce with more ease. Therefore because bigger seeds are easier to pick up than small seeds, the Big White
Seeds will have a hard time surviving and reproducing. Furthermore, because red makes contrast with the green
from the grass, the Small Red Seeds will also have a hard time surviving and reproducing. On the other hand the
Small White Seeds and the Small Black Seeds will have less trouble to survive and reproduce due to the fact that as
theyre small, and their color doesnt make lots of contrast with the green from the grass, their camouflage will
obviously be better, and as a result both species will encounter survival and reproduction.
Variables:
Table 1. The list of variables and how they are manipulated to see ..
Variable
Variable
Measurements
Description of how variables manipulated
Seed Type (both color
Description of
The seed type variable (color and size) will
Independent
Seed (color and size) be manipulated by getting 100 seeds of each
(manipulated and size)
type (4 types), which will therefore give a
variable,
total of 400 seeds. Each population of 100
what you
seeds will be placed on a different bag. Then
change)
as the experiment is conducted, the
manipulation of this variable will continue, as
the surviving seeds will later have 3
offsprings in the future generations.
Number of Surviving
Counting.
For each generation, 75 seeds were hunted
Dependent
Seeds Across
Measurement takes
down. By picking (hunting) them up and
(depends on
Generations
place
in
a
range
of
placing them inside a beaker, the number of
what is
0-25; Surviving
surviving seeds changed as some were
manipulated,
number gets
extinct, and other had offspring. This variable
results you
multiplied by 4
was the effect of the manipulation of the
see)
(because of the three independent variable; therefore no direct
offspring)
manipulation was present.
Surrounding
Quadrat
Control Variable: No Manipulation Is Vital.
Controls

(what
remains the
same for
both
independent
variables)

Environment (size
(0.5m^2) and type
(grass))

Start Number of Seeds

for Each Population

Same Predators

Amount of Seeds Eaten

per Generation (75)

Measurement .5m^2.
The Quadrat will
determine the
environments given
size.
Counting. Each seed
type should start
with 25 individuals
in the first
generation. Then in
the future generation
(2 & 3), the start
number of seeds
should be
represented with the
given answer after
multiplying the
number of surviving
seeds in that
population by 4.
The same two
scientists will act as
predators. No
change with the
recorder will be
accepted.
Counting. Only 75
seeds will be eaten
and recorder will be
in charge of
stopping the
predators when 75
seeds are placed
inside the beaker.

Control Variable: No Manipulation Is Vital.

Control Variable: No Manipulation Is Vital.

Control Variable: No Manipulation Is Vital.

Equipment/Materials:
400 Seeds of 4 Different Types (100 per type):
o 100 Big White Seeds
o 100 Small Red Seeds
o 100 Small Black Seeds
o 100 Small White Seeds
4 Zip block bags
1 1000ml Beaker
0.5m^2 Quadrat
Procedure:
1. Name the variables for the lab (IV, DV, CV)
2. Make an educated guess Write a justified hypothesis
3. Get 100 Big White Seeds and put them in a Ziploc bag. This Ziploc bag will only hold Big White Seeds.
4. Get 100 Small Red Seeds and put them in a Ziploc bag. This Ziploc bag will only hold Small Red Seeds.
5. Get 100 Small Black Seeds and put them in a Ziploc bag. This Ziploc bag will only hold Small Black
Seeds.
6. Get 100 Small White Seeds and put them in a Ziploc bag. This Ziploc bag will only hold Small White
Seeds.
7. Get a fifth empty Ziploc bag

8. Designate roles: One person as the recorder, and two individuals that act as birds in the process of natural
selection.
9. Place your 0.5m^2 quadrat in the designated environment (grass)
10. Have the recorder get 25 seeds of each type, and mix them together in the fifth plastic bag, creating a mix
of 100 seeds in total.
11. Have the recorder spray the 100 different traited seeds inside the quadrat/environment.
12. Have the two members acting as birds feed randomly on the seeds inside the habitat (naturally selecting
them), placing the hunt inside the 1000 ml beaker held by the recorder, who counts until 75 seeds are
hunted and then immediately stops the hunt.
13. In the table provided, record the data for the First Generation of the number of seeds that survived and the
number of seeds that were eaten.
14. Place the eaten/hunted seeds back into their designated specie bag.
15. Expect that each surviving seed has three same traited offspring, and both parent and offsprings live at least
until the upcoming hunt. As a result, for each seed that survives, randomly scatter 3 same traited seeds,
bringing the total population of all seeds added together to 100.
16. At the start of the next generation, in the provided table, have the recorder annotate the population of each
seed type.
17. Have the two members acting as birds feed randomly on the seeds inside the habitat (naturally selecting
them), placing the hunt inside the 1000 ml beaker held by the recorder, who counts until a total of 75 seeds
are hunted and then immediately stops the hunt.
18. In the table provided, record the data for the given generation of the number of seeds that survived and the
number of seeds that were eaten.
19. Place the eaten/hunted seeds back into their designated specie bag.
20. For generation 3, repeat steps 15 through 19.
21. Record final data, do final calculations, and analyze results.
Data Table: Come up with an appropriate table.
Generation 1

Generation 2

Generation 3

Seed Color Start Eaten Survived % Surv Start Eaten Survived % Surv Start Eaten Survive % Surv
25
25
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Big White
0
25
20
5
20
20
19
1
4
4
4
0
0
Small Red
25
18
7
28
28
21
7
28
28
23
5
20
Small White
25
12
13
52
52
35
17
68
68
48
20
80
Small Black
100
75
25
100 100
75
25
100 100
75
25
100
Total
Description:
Although this table isnt the best model to view the results (therefore an accurate graph was created), we can clearly
observe that the Big White Seed was extinct in the first generation after the first hunt. Likewise, we can also view
that the Small Red Seeds were extinct in the second generation after the second hunt. On the other hand, despite the
fact that all results and graphs come from this table, we cant appreciate in a visible manner the survival and
reproduction trend of the Small White and Small Black Seeds. However, by solemnly observing this table, we can
accurately guess that because the survival rate by the Third Generation of the Small Black Seed is higher than 25
(starting amount of seeds), its trend will most likely go upwards (increasing population), while because the Small
White Seeds survival percentage by the Third Generation is less than 25 (starting amount of seeds), its trend will
most likely go downwards (decreasing population).
Interesting Question: Do you have sufficient data being collected?
Its evident that experimenting with future generation would have been very interesting, as it would have generated
more accurate results. Moreover, by having a greater sample, we would have been able to analyze un-observable
information such as the future of the population of the Small White Seeds, which survived through the three
generations, yet however lost 5 organisms through generation two and three, leading to a debate among its ability
to survive and reproduce, and therefore partially verifying (not completely) my hypothesis. Its clear that by having
more generations, at least until a 6th one, I could have completely supported or not supported my hypothesis, having
a straightforward answer about the population of Small White Seeds. However, the amount of data gathered was

sufficient to create precise calculations and write accurate conclusions. Furthermore, with the three generations we
conducted through this experiment, I was able to analyzing and evaluate my results, increasing my findings.

Calculations:
Number of Seeds that Survived:
Algebraic Form: a b = c Where a is the start number of seeds, b is the number of eaten seeds, and c is
the number of seeds that survived.
Sample form (Small Red Gen 1): 25 20 = 5 Therefore the number of surviving seeds is five.
Survival Percentage:
Algebraic Form: (a/25)*100 = c Where a is the Survival Number for the given generation, 25 comes from
the start number for all seed populations at generation one, 100 as a multiplication is employed to bring the
decimal into a percentage, and the survival percentage is c.
Sample Form (Small Red Gen 1): (5/25)*100 = c (5/25) = .2 (.2)*100 = 20 20 = c Therefore the
survival percentage for this specific seed type (Small Red) in this first generation is 20%.
Start Number of Seeds in Future Generations:
Algebraic Form: a*4 = c Where a is the number of seeds that survived the hunt of the previous generation, 4
as a multiplication comes from the three offspring plus the parent, and c represents the number of seeds that will
start for the specific specie in the upcoming generation.
Sample Form (Small Red Gen 1): 5*4 = c 20 = c Therefore 20 is the number of seeds that will start in the
future generation (gen 2) for the given specie (Small Red Seeds).
Total:
Algebraic Form: a+b+c+d = e Where all variables are part of the same column (depends on which data is being
calculated for total (start number of seeds, or seeds eaten, or survival %, etc)). Where a represents data from row
of Big White Seeds, b represents data from row of Small Red Seeds, c represents data from row of Small White
Seeds, d represents data from row of Small Black Seeds, and variable e represents the total.
Sample Form (Small Red Gen 1- Survived): 0+5+7+13 = e 25 = e Therefore the total seeds that survived
after generations one hunt were 25 seeds.
Graphs:

90

% Survival of Seeds with Different Traits Across

Generations by Natural Selection

80

% Survived of Seeds

70
60
50
Generation 1

40

Generation 2
30

Generation 3

20
10
0
Big White

Small Red

Small White

Seed Type

Small Black

Description:
In this graph we can observe how the Big White Seed is the first specie to reach the extinction, as it got depleted in
the first generation. Moreover we can also view how the Small Red Seeds fail to sustain its population, reaching

extinction after the second hunt. Furthermore by viewing this graph with only 3 generations as the main source of
information, we cant clearly see the future of Small White Seeds. The assumption cant be educated and therefore
stated as although in both the first and second generation, its population was maintained, in the third generation its
population was decreased. As a result, in order to accurately understand the population development of Small
White Seeds, more generations are needed in order to increase the amount of results for this lab. Finally we can
factually state that the Small Black Seeds population increased throughout the generations, which therefore means
that this mutation was the most positive one (relative to the grass environment.) We can also state that its
population will endure in time, and continuously increase.
Conclusion:
My hypothesis clearly stated that If 4 different traited seed populations (Big White, Small Red, Small
White, and Small Black) are impacted by an accurate representation of natural selection in a grass environment,
then the seeds that are smaller and its pigmentation makes the least contrast with dark-green (grass) color (Small
White and Small Black Seeds) will have a higher survival rate because these two traits create a better camouflage
for the designated (grass) environment, increasing the survival, resulting in increased reproduction and therefore
future generations. This written hypothesis is partially supported as although both the Big White Seeds (survival
%: 0% in all generations) and the Red White Seeds (survival %: 20% gen 1, 4% gen 2, 0% gen 3) were the two
seeds that reached extinction before the third generation, and the Small Black Seed population continuously grew
(survival %: 52% gen 1, 68% gen 2, 80% gen 3) (all three deductions mentioned in my hypothesis), the Small
White Seed (survival %: 28% gen 1, 28% gen 2, 20% gen 3) population future remained undetermined, as no trend
was actually visible. Because of this doubt and un-explored area, we cant actually state as a proven fact that my
hypothesis was fully supported, yet however we can state that it was partially supported.
The main procedural limitation that impacted my results and experiment, restricting my entire perspective
over the lab, was the limited amount of generations for which the seeds were exposed. Its true that two seed
species (Big White and Small Red) reached extinction, and that the Small Black Seeds had a continuous trend of
increasing population, however in some situations were no trend is visible, as with the Small White Seeds, more
generations are needed in order to fully explore the lab. By having at least 6 generations, the representation of the
Natural Selection process would have been easier to perceive for all seed types, resulting on more findings, which
would benefit hypothesis analysis, and therefore conclusion writing. However, this hidden variable didnt
significantly impact my results and just limited my perspective, which therefore doesnt jeopardize the
trustworthiness of the collected results.
After completing the lab and reflecting, evaluating and analyzing my results, Im certain that I collected the
results found in my data table because of the process of Natural Selection. This process discovered by Darwin is the
principle of evolution, resulting on positive mutations/traits to prevail, and negative mutations/traits to disappear
(HHMI, 2011). As stated in my justification, positive traits will most likely be passed on to future generations due
to its ability to help and give and advantage to the lucky organism, while negative traits will most likely be
eliminated due to the burden effect it applies on the unlucky organism which will have a disadvantage and
therefore have a harder time reproducing and passing its traits. Keep in mind that mutations can be positive,
neutral, or negative; it all depends upon the conditions an organism finds itself (Carroll, 2011). For example
imagine a curly tailed lizard (beach lizardgreyish color) mutates and has a dark brownish-greenish pigmentation.
This mutation would clearly be a disadvantage (in the beach environment) as it would be spotted by the predators
faster than usual, leading to depletion and no reproduction. However, if you take that mutated lizard and its
mutated offspring, and a normal curly tailed lizard and its normal offspring and place them in the rainforest, the
population that will prevail and reproduce among the future generations will most likely be the mutated lizard
specie as it would camouflage better in the given environment (mud/grass/green plants/brown tree trunks =
rainforest), leading to survival, which increases reproduction. The same Natural Selection phenomenon took place
in the conducted experiment, as seeds that had positive characteristics (for the given environment grass)
prevailed, survived for longer, and reproduced, while those seeds with negative characteristics were unable to
endure as generations passed along, becoming extinct at a faster rate. For example while the Big White Seeds were
unable to survive for one complete generation, becoming extinct after the first hunt, the Small Black Seeds
continuously grew in population size, reaching 80 organisms at the start of a supposed generation 4. This collected
data demonstrates the fact that because one seed was bigger (disadvantage) and its color didnt act as a negative
trait or a positive trait (therefore no impact), it had an overall of negative characteristics, and because of the harsh
conditions of the environment (fierce predators) it failed to sustain in population size which led to immediate

extinction. On the other hand, the Small Black Seeds had two traits that acted as an advantage; it was small sized
which made it harder to spot and pick up, plus its pigmentation made no apparent contrast with the dark green
color from the grass, having an overall positive characteristic. This positive characteristic gave the specie an
advantage over the other seed variations, which enabled the Small Black Seed population to overcome the harsh
environment conditions and increase in population size. This given example portraits the phenomenon of Natural
Selection perfectly were the positive traits are passed on, and the negative traits fail to subsist in future generations.
Throughout the lab, both in the process of collecting results, and in the process of analyzing data and
generating calculations, errors were present. First of all, while collecting data, because of the small amount of time
we were given to complete this lab, the predators had to pick up seeds really fast, which led to an improvised
method to speed up the process, generating errors on the long run: To solve the time problem the recorder stepped
up and became another predator. This action completely manipulated the control variable of same predators,
adding a different perspective to the hunt and therefore finding more seeds. Moreover by having the recorder pick
up seeds, his attention changed from counting the amount of seeds hunted to hunting seeds, which increased the
chances of miscounting the data. However as the limit of hunted seeds per generation didnt change (75), and the
miscounting could have only +1 or -1 the data (insignificant values), the results werent significantly impacted.
Moving on, another error that took place while performing the experiment was a change of environment/habitat that
happened in our 0.5m^2 quadrat. Because of sun exposure, inside our 0.5^2 quadrat, there was a small spot with
different colored grass (yellowish). This grass variation gave an advantage to lighter colored seeds, as their color
made less contrast with the withered grass, and therefore increased camouflage. However because of its very small
area (just a few cm) we can state that this error didnt impact in a significant manner the collected results, as you
can see how the Big White Seeds specie (light colored) failed to survive at least one hunt, while the Small White
Seeds (light colored) population decreased by 5 between Generation One and Generation Three. Moreover the
Small Black Seeds (dark colored) population continuously increased showing a growth of 55 seeds in total from the
start of generation one to the start of the future generation four. This collected data demonstrates that the error of
the change of environment/habitat (withered grass in small area) didnt significantly impact the collected results.
From the calculation and data analysis perspective the one and only error that was present during this phase was the
manipulation of the results. Although this shouldnt be done, specifically when talking about science labs, we were
forced for the sake of the experiment to change some numbers, having a +1, or -1 change in a specific section of the
data: The percentage survival of generation three didnt equal 100%, leading to us manipulating the data to
transform the collected data into logical and coherent data. This mistake originated from our first error
(miscounting the seeds), as by generation three (time pressure increased), the mistake took place. However as with
the other errors, we can also conclude that manipulating our data in this specific context didnt significantly impact
our results. As a result were in our right to sate that although we had three main errors that could have jeopardized
our data, all three of them werent significant enough to change and modify our results in a significant level.
I would like to suggest a couple of things for a future replication of the employed lab. To start off, I would
definitely give more time for the completion of the lab, having two complete classes to work on the lab. By giving
more time for the lab, errors would be avoided, and more attention could have been placed on minor details that
could have influenced the results (luckily in this occasion, they were insignificant). Furthermore by giving one
more class to work one the lab, more generations could be explored. My personal opinion is that six generations
would enable to view all four trends of the seeds, enabling the participants to reach more accurate conclusions. In
this case, two classes would be enough for six generations to be explored, as although its mathematically the same
amount of time for the same amount of generations, after the first few generations the participant will get the hang
of it, testing the generations faster in a more accurate and precise manner, apart from omitting the responsibility of
hypothesis writing in the second class time. Moreover I would specify the environment type, stating clearly in the
procedure that the grass blades should be very short, allowing faster hunting of the seeds, and reducing the time
needed per generation.
Its clear that the experimented lab was an accurate representation of how evolution takes place by the
phenomenon of natural selection. Truly, if you look at the big picture, the natural world is directly impacted by
natural selection, being modified continuously by the un-randomized selection that predators and harsh
environmental conditions determine, where positive traits/mutations prevail, and negative traits/mutations fail to
endure in future generations, allowing evolution among a population to occur. The experiment we conducted was
just a representation of what really happens in natural environments, where natural selection (based on
positive/negative traits) divides who passes on those traits, from those who dont reproduce and therefore fail to

pass on their traits. This selection is due to the fact that as there is overproduction, there arent enough resources for
every single organism, leading to competition, which results on the organisms with the positive traits to survive
(because of the genetic advantage.) On the other hand, from a reflective point of view, I have some question that
remained un-answered: How does artificial selection functions? And most importantly: How does a human control
and monitor such a complex process? These are questions that could allow me to understand with greater
background info the process of evolution, increasing and deepening my understanding on the subject.
Evaluation
Table 3. A possible list of errors contributing to inaccurate results in the ..
Errors
Analysis
Suggestions for improvement
Although 3 generations were
By having more generations, such as 6
Limited Generations
enough to conduct a specific and
generations, all of the seeds population
detailed analysis of the collected
trends would be determined. This will
results and reach accurate
enable the lab to be explored at depth,
conclusions, the future of the Small allowing the hypothesis to be further
White Seeds remains unresolved,
supported or in other cases un-supported,
as its trend cant be firmly
which would result on more accurate
predicted. Therefore I believe that
conclusions.
only having three generations on
the procedure was a limitation.
On our 0.5^2 quadrat, one small
In order to solve this control constant
Change of Environment
spot of withered grass stood out.
manipulation error, the procedure should
Although it was just small, and no
include the fact that the environment
apparent data was significantly
should all be in the same state: all green,
impacted, it could have
no inclination, no withered grasses, no
manipulated one of the most
shadow, and obviously same sized grass.
important controlled variables in
By including this specifications of the
this experiment by giving an
environment in the procedure,
advantage to the lighter colored
participants will be reminded about the
seeds luckily the advantage
importance of having a consistent
didnt take place as both Big and
0.5m^2 environment.
Small White Seeds had a lower
survival/reproduction rate than the
Small Black Seed (dark colored).
Although we were supposed to
By giving one more class period for the
Same Predators C.V
only have two predators, because
collection of results, not only could six
Miscounting
of time pressure, the recorder
generations be recorded, but also more
intervened, becoming the third
time would be available to conduct every
predator. This adding of predator
generation (no hypothesis, procedure,
not only added another perspective other, on second class period). This extra
that spotted seeds otherwise
time would allow the participants to be
hidden, but also as the attention of
more patient with the experiment, paying
the recorder drifted from counting
attention to important detail, and keeping
to hunting, miscounting occurred,
it just to two predators and one recorder
leading to the error found below.
continuously throughout the lab.
In the third generation survival %,
As this directly connects to
Manipulation of Results
the total didnt equal 100%. This
miscounting and miscounting comes
was due to the fact of miscounting from time management issues, I restate
some seeds (previous error). As an the previous solution of adding one more
immediate consequence and for the class period. This class period would be
sake of the experiment, we had to
very helpful as it would allow the
manipulate our results in order to
participants to pay attention to details
make them logical and coherent.
otherwise unobservable in such a small
Although it could directly have
amount of time.
impacted our experiment as it was
only a +1, or -1 difference, our
results werent significantly

impacted. Nevertheless the risk

factor is still there and
improvements should be made.

Works Cited:
The Making of the Fittest: Natural Selection and Adaptation. Prod. Sean Carroll. HHMI. Howard Hughes
Medical Institute, n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2014. <http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/making-fittestnatural-selection-and-adaptation>.
"Natural Selection." SparkNotes. SparkNotes, n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2014.
<http://www.sparknotes.com/biology/evolution/naturalselection/summary.html>.