Standard 15

Engage in argument from evidence (e.g., mathematical models such as distribution graphs) to
explain how the diversity of organisms is affected by overpopulation of species, variation due to
genetic mutations, and competition for limited resources.

Understanding overpopulation
Demonstration

Predator-Prey Relations
Item: Snakes, frogs, crickets, and grasses make up a biomass pyramid. What do you think
possibly happened if the snake population in the chain doubled?
A. There was a ten-fold increase in the number of grasshoppers.
B. There was a two-fold increase in the number of grasshoppers.
C. There was no increase in the number of grasshoppers.
D. There was a five-fold increase in the number of grasshoppers.

Justification: Give a reason to support your answer.

Answer: B. Selection of distracters A, C, or D would indicate that the student has not understood
predator-prey relations.

Understanding overpopulation
Lab
Guppys lab
This science project examines the effect of overpopulation on guppies.
Research Question:

What behavior changes are produced by overpopulation?

What happens when animals compete for limited resources?
What are the health effects of overpopulation?
What is a population curve?
What happens to a population of yeast when resources are exhausted?

Materials:

32 guppies
Fish food
Three small identical fish bowls (less than 5 gallons
Dry yeast
Two-cup measuring cup
Measuring spoon
Sugar solution
Eyedropper
Microscope

Experimental Procedure

Experiment #1

Fill each fish bowl 75 percent full with water. Use the same amount of water in each
bowl.
Let the water sit for three days before purchasing the fish so that the chlorine leaves the
water.
Add two guppies to the first bowl, 10 guppies to the second bowl and 20 guppies to the
third bowl. Estimate the average size of the fish in each bowl. They should all be
approximately the same size.
Observe each bowl for 15 minutes per day. Record breathing patterns such as whether the
fish are breathing at the surface of the water and how fast their gills are moving. Record
how many aggressive movements, such as tail-flicking and chasing occur in 15 minutes.

After three weeks compare how much the fish in each tank have grown. Which has the
biggest fish?

Experiment #2

Prepare a sugar water solution consisting of one cup of water and two tablespoons of
sugar.
Put one teaspoon of yeast in the sugar water solution. Wait one hour.
Stir the water so the yeast is equally distributed. Use the eyedropper to place a drop of the
solution on a microscope slide. Count the number of yeast cells.
Repeat step two every day for two weeks. Graph your results. This is a population curve.
Consider what conclusions can be drawn when yeast grows unchecked and when the
population outgrows its resources.

Understanding overpopulation
Questions:
What behavior changes are produced by overpopulation?
What happens when animals compete for limited resources?
What are the health effects of overpopulation?
What is a population curve?
What happens to a population of yeast when resources are exhausted?