Lab 12: Animal Behavior

Objectives:

Observe various aspects of the behavior of a terrestrial isopod.
Conduct experiments examining the responses of isopods to various environmental factors.
Design and conduct an investigation of animal behavior.
Hypothesize as to the reason for the behavior you observe.

Place a clean piece of filter paper on each side of your choice chamber.
Saturate the filter paper on ONE SIDE of your choice chamber using a pipet.
- Make sure to remove any extra water.
- Be sure to keep the other filter paper DRY!!
Transfer 5 isopods to each side of the dish. Close with the lid.
Count and record the number of isopods on each side of the chamber every 30 seconds for 10 minutes.
- Continue to record even if all isopods move to one side or stop moving.
Return isopods, clean up area and analyze your data.

Students will be conducting their own experiment testing the response of the isopods to a factor. The following information will have to be stated / recorded:
1. Factors to be tested
  - Light, pH, temperature, surface, etc.
2. State your hypothesis
3. List the materials that will be needed
4. List a step-by-step procedure you will follow
5. Describe the data that will be collected and how the results will be displayed
6. Perform the experiment
7. Return the isopods
8. State your conclusions
Remember to obtain results from your classmates from parts 2 & 3 to answer post-lab questions.

Make sure your answer the questions for each section of the lab (if called for).
Create your data tables in your notebooks, not on a separate sheet of paper.
Don't forget to make your graphs in parts 2 & 3.
Check with me before you perform part 3 to make sure I have the equipment you need.

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