Thermoregulation in Bees

Description

1. Introduction

This Assignment will allow you to further explore concepts in thermoregulation. It will also introduce you to the various parts of scientific studies. You will practice summarizing a study in a short overview, something that is commonly done in writing an abstract for a study. In some second year Biology courses, you’ll be required to include an Abstract as part of your lab reports.  Summarizing everything in relatively few words can be challenging, so think about the most essential aspects of what you wish to include.

Instructions

1. First read the Primers in Module 3 on LaunchPad, on Data and Data Presentation and Experimental Design to familiarize yourself with some aspects of scientific studies.
2. Watch the following video (or others like it) to learn more about Abstracts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMEnRBss6V4
3. Read the sample Abstract that I have attached to this Assignment to get a feeling for an actual abstract. This is one that I submitted with a student to a conference.
4. Next, read the description of the study on Thermoregulation in Bees in the link in point a. below and carry out the virtual experiments. Please note there are two experiments. When you get to the end of the first experiment, point 6 Conclusions, be sure to click on the buttom (Honeybee Thermoregulation) at the bottom of the page to contine to the second experiment. The first experiment you are measuring the temperature of the thorax and abdomen. In the second experiment, you are measure wing beat frequency and metabolic rate.
5. 1. Go to http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/tlw3/virtual_labs/lab22/labs/lab22/home.html
   2. Click on “Explore the issue being investigated” and read the text.
   3. Go back to the main page and then click on “Run a virtual experiment”
   4. Follow all of the instructions through to the Conclusions of the temperature experiment and the wing beat/metabolic rate experiment
   5. Click on “Main menu” and click on the “Overview of the experiment”
   6. Then, carry out the following assignment:

Assignment

IN YOUR OWN WORDS summarize the two virtual experiments YOU DID on bee thermoregulation. Your answer should be roughly 400 words. The goal is to learn how to summarize the experiment in an abstract succinctly and accurately, so answers that are more than 10% over 400 words will be penalized. There is no penalty for fewer words, but all essential information should be included. The assignment will be marked out of 10, and will be worth 6% of your final grade. Your abstract should include the headings below (a structured abstract as described in the YouTube video). You should integrate the two experiments. In other words, don’t describe one completely in 200 words, and then move on to describe the other in 200 words.

BACKGROUND: (purpose, what is the problem being addressed?, the unknown question, why do the study?) (2 marks)

OBJECTIVES OR HYPOTHESES: (what do the two specific experiments attempt to address? You will have separate statements for each experiment) (1 mark)

METHODS: (for each) (2 marks)

RESULTS: (brief explanation of major findings) (2 marks)

CONCLUSIONS: (for each experiment and overall) (2 marks)

You will also receive grades for: spelling, grammar, style, length (1 mark)

 

Important notes:

• For this particular assignment, you do not need to use citations or references
• Please be sure to use your own words in the assignment. Don’t simply repeat what is in the virtual experiment online.
• You will need Flash Player enabled in your browser for this Assignment. Launchpad also used Flash Player, and they have included detailed instructions on how to enable Flash in your browser here: https://macmillan.force.com/bfwhighschool/s/article/Enable-Adobe-Flash-playerPlease note that for some browsers, you’ll need to give permission for Flash to run each time you exit and then come back to the page requiring it. The browswer doesn’t remember your choice. If you have difficulties with using Flash, please contact the IT Service Desk.
• Your file will be submitted to SafeAssign for Academic Integrity purposes.

Submission Instructions

Save your answer as a Word file (.doc or .docx) with the filename in the following format: Last name_First name_Assignment 2 (eg. if it were my assignment, I’d use the filename: Kapron_Carolyn_Assignment_2). If you are not able to use Word, you may submit your file as a .pdf file.  Other file formats will not be accepted without prior permission.

You will have one opportunity to submit a file, so please ensure that you submit the correct one. Please verify that you have submitted a file in a readable format. You will receive a confirmation number when your file is successfully uploaded. You must make note of this number for your records in case there are any upload issues.

Your document should be created with 12 pt font and should be double-spaced. You should put your name, student number, course and assignment number, as well as the word count, at the top right of your page.

 

Sample Abstract 2.pdf

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4. Please be aware that your assignment submission will be scanned for plagiarism detection purposes.