Lucas's Portfolio

Part 1: Essential Question and Standard Reflection

From my learning of ecosystems and the cycling of matter and energy through biotic and abiotic factors in them, it can be deduced that the surface color of Pleasant Pond took on a green hue due to the excess runoff of nitrogen and phosphorus-rich fertilizer into the pond. Nitrate and Phosphate-abundant fertilizer boost crop yields, but farmers often use extra amounts for redundancy. Therefore, the fertilizer that the plants are unable to assimilate is brought into the pond ecosystem through means such as surface runoff, streamflow, and groundwater discharge. These excess nutrients are absorbed by algae, which the reproduce rapidly, ultimately forming Harmful Agal Blooms that sometimes stretch across the entire body of water. The HAB the blocks the sunlight for all the underwater organisms. The plants will not be able to perform photosynthesis, as it requires sunlight as an input source. Photosynthesis of the algae will spike during the day, but when night falls, the biomass grown by photosynthesis and the carbon cycle eventually dies. The amount of decomposers is not enough to support the breaking down of all the algae, which results in eutrophication of the ponds and therefore the disruption of the biogeochemical cycles.

In our ecosystem in a bottle variable change project, my partner and I decided to influence the carbon-oxygen cycle by breathing into the bottle. We predicted that with the excess amount of CO2, the plants would benefit from it as there would be more input for photosynthesis, but then the oxygen levels would decrease, leading to the organisms unable to perform cellular respiration. Our prediction did not come true, as that amount of extra carbon-dioxide might not have had a large impact on the plants and photosynthesis. However, this conclusion might also not be precise, as the animals all died over the weekend after the variable change due to lack of food.

Ecosystem in a Bottle Model: https://canva.link/8fbfx8bt4ba76y9 (the picture could not upload)

Part 2: Improvement

I would try to improve my reading of the Summative rubric in future projects, as I did not sufficiently show the connection between the 4 cycles and photosynthesis. I need to read the Exceeding requirements more carefully next time. This will allow me to fulfill the rubric completely.

Summative SPARK Kismet: https://canva.link/p1g07x59ktnoozf

Part 1: Essential Question and Standard Reflection

There are numerous factors that contribute to the variation of taste size, and other characteristics between different species of apples. Some genetic factors include advantageous characteristics passed down from parent to offspring plant through sexual and asexual reproduction. In sexual reproduction, the offspring’s alleles and a combination of that of the parent plants, creating genetic variation. When a plant reproduces asexually in processes such as grafting, the offspring inherits all of the parent’s traits, which may result in advantageous characteristics being passed down, which increases the likelihood of farmers selling their fruits. Environmental factors also play a role in the successful reproduction of plants. Variables such as soil fertility, climate, and animal behaviors could contribute either beneficially or adversely to reproduction.

Part 2: Hands-On Experience

Two learning practices that benefitted me the most in this unit are: 1) hands on activities such as DNA extraction; and 2) the independent research project (Franken Fruit Summative). I like to see what I learn and also adapt my pace according to the level of understanding I have achieved, so these. two activities best suit me. The DNA extraction was fun and I got to see what the DNA strands actually looked like under a microscope. For the summative assessment, I got to extend my learning by researching topics that were outside of class, such as germination and external fertilization.—-

Part 3: Improvement

One thing that I will have to improve on in future learning is to include all elements of a proper model in different cases. In the new apple variety project (see directly above), I had to be reminded to add consideration of scale to my model. In terms of aesthetics, I need to remember to make sure the labels don’t overlap over each other.