Comparative Anatomy Poster Project
Throughout the week you will be examining the body systems of six different animals from four different phyla. These organisms differ in size in complexity, but they all have evolved structures and strategies to accomplish similar actions/functions. Scientists use the similarities and differences of organisms to organize them into phylogenetic trees. Phylogenetic trees help us examine the evolutionary path of different organisms on the planet. Below is an example of a phylogenetic tree.
Poster Task:
During the week you will dissect organisms, research information, and reflect upon and evaluate the similarities and differences between our six model organisms. Since this can become a very large task, you will be working in groups and focusing on a common system or function between the organisms. Your group must pick one of the following options or propose an option to your instructors.
Topic List:
1.) Nervous System- How do the organisms sense and experience the environment?
2.)Digestive-Breaking- How do the organisms obtain energy from food?
3.)Respiratory- What structures allow the organisms to obtain oxygen and expel carbon dioxide?
4.)Locomotion- What structures and strategies allow the organisms to move through the environment?
5.)Reproduction- What structures and strategies allow the organisms to create offspring
6.) Predator Avoidance- How can the organisms camouflage their bodies or actively avoid detection from predators?
7.) Prey Capture Strategies- What structures or strategies allow the organisms to capture food?
8.) Other with instructor approval
Poster:
Your poster will include the following features:
Throughout the week you will be examining the body systems of six different animals from four different phyla. These organisms differ in size in complexity, but they all have evolved structures and strategies to accomplish similar actions/functions. Scientists use the similarities and differences of organisms to organize them into phylogenetic trees. Phylogenetic trees help us examine the evolutionary path of different organisms on the planet. Below is an example of a phylogenetic tree.
Poster Task:
During the week you will dissect organisms, research information, and reflect upon and evaluate the similarities and differences between our six model organisms. Since this can become a very large task, you will be working in groups and focusing on a common system or function between the organisms. Your group must pick one of the following options or propose an option to your instructors.
Topic List:
1.) Nervous System- How do the organisms sense and experience the environment?
2.)Digestive-Breaking- How do the organisms obtain energy from food?
3.)Respiratory- What structures allow the organisms to obtain oxygen and expel carbon dioxide?
4.)Locomotion- What structures and strategies allow the organisms to move through the environment?
5.)Reproduction- What structures and strategies allow the organisms to create offspring
6.) Predator Avoidance- How can the organisms camouflage their bodies or actively avoid detection from predators?
7.) Prey Capture Strategies- What structures or strategies allow the organisms to capture food?
8.) Other with instructor approval
Poster:
Your poster will include the following features:
- Title
- Six diagrams illustrating how each organism accomplishes your topic
- Written reflection discussing the following questions
- How are the organisms similar in how they accomplish the topic?
- How are the organisms different in how they accomplish the topic?
- How did the dissections change your understanding of life and evolution?
- What was to most meaningful learning experience from the week?
- How are the organisms similar in how they accomplish the topic?