Homeostasis

Evidence of Work

Homeostasis is our bodies maintaining stability and equilibrium. This biological process regulates things in our bodies and makes sure everything is normal and at healthy levels. While studying and working with the concept of homeostasis, we completed a group project to experiment with it and see first hand how homeostasis works and affects us. My group tested water levels so our experiment was each of us drinking certain (different) amounts of water in a day and recording how many times each of us had to urinate. In doing this project, we were able to follow the steps of scientific method. We made a hypothesis that said if someone is drinking more water than someone else, then homeostasis will cause that person to have to urinate more often. After conducting our experiment, we found that our hypothesis was correct. The group members who drank more water had to use the bathroom many more times than those who did not drink as much! In relation to homeostasis, this shows our bodies regulating our water levels by maintaining a certain balance by releasing excess water out of our bodies via urination. After we completed our assignment, we shared with the other groups in our class. I liked this part and found it helpful because it gave us a chance to receive and give feedback, as well as learn about the other aspects of homeostasis from the other groups and see their results!

Content

Scientific Method: A method of research that follows 8 steps: Question/problem, Observation/research, Hypothesis, Experiment, Collect data, Data analysis, Conclusion, and Report findings.

Independent variable: The cause; the variable you add in order to experiment. Our independent variable in our lab was how much water someone drinks.

Dependent variable: This is the effect or result of the independent variable. Our dependent variable was how many times someone had to urinate. (So the independent variable directly causes the result of the dependent variable.)

Control group: The group that does not receive the experimental variable. Our control group was the person drinking the average/normal amount of water.

Experimental group: The group where the experimental variable is applied. This is where we can see results and interpret data in our labs. Our experimental group was the people drinking much more water.

Trial: A way to test or experiment something. Our trial was experimenting with how much water you drink and how that affects your urination throughout the day.

Hypothesis: An educated guess or proposed explanation/ solution for something. Our hypothesis was if someone is drinking more water than someone else, then homeostasis will cause that person to have to urinate more often.

Reflection

I enjoyed this project a lot. I found it fun and I liked working with my group where we were able to experiment and take data from things we actively participated in (drinking water and recording the urination frequency). I also felt that I learned a lot and definitely expanded my knowledge on homeostasis and how it works in our bodies.

I felt that there were some things I did well, along with some things I think I could improve on. I thought my group and I´s collaboration worked very well. We also communicated a lot which definitely made a positive impact on our lab. So overall I think our group worked very well together. I feel that we could have improved our division of the work. While our group got along well, there was still an issue of how some people did a lot more work and participated more than others. I feel like we could all improve on that for next time.

I feel confident about our lab and the final work we presented for this project. I also feel that I gained confidence on this unit and what we are learning about in class. I liked doing this biology project a lot and am excited to take my self-improvements and new knowledge onto the next task!