Assessing Variation in Populations The human population differs widely in their physical characteristics (i.e. height, weight, eye colour, hair colour). Most other species also show variation in many of their observable traits. For example, to the untrained observer all killer whales (Orcinus orca) might look the same, but in the 1970’s a Canadian researcher, Michael Bigg, realized that they could be identified by noting the variation in their dorsal fin and the gray saddle patch at the base of this fin. In this case, the researcher exploits variation as a means of identifying individuals, but why does variation exist in the population at all? Can we quantify the variation of a trait within a population? Can this be used to determine if two populations are significantly different from each other? In this investigation you will measure the variation in the lengths of two “populations” of kidney beans, red and white. Each population must consist of at least 30 individuals obtained from a known source (store bought kidney beans). Use a spreadsheet program (Excel) to record and process your data. Determine whether the two populations of kidney beans are significantly different in length. This is to be written up as a formal lab report.
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Assessing Variation in Populations
The human population differs widely in their physical characteristics (i.e. height, weight, eye colour, hair colour). Most other species also show variation in many of their observable traits. For example, to the untrained observer all killer whales (Orcinus orca) might look the same, but in the 1970’s a Canadian researcher, Michael Bigg, realized that they could be identified by noting the variation in their dorsal fin and the gray saddle patch at the base of this fin.
In this case, the researcher exploits variation as a means of identifying individuals, but why does variation exist in the population at all? Can we quantify the variation of a trait within a population? Can this be used to determine if two populations are significantly different from each other?
In this investigation you will measure the variation in the lengths of two “populations” of kidney beans, red and white. Each population must consist of at least 30 individuals obtained from a known source (store bought kidney beans). Use a spreadsheet program (Excel) to record and process your data. Determine whether the two populations of kidney beans are significantly different in length. This is to be written up as a formal lab report.
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