NAME_________________________ DATE____________ HOUR_____________

MATERIALS NEEDED: Color variation test: 1 bag of differently colored M&M’s, a colored paper plate.

Size variation test: 1 bag of similarly colored, but different sized M&M’s, a white paper plate.

PROCEDURE:

How are we doing this?

1. Each group of students will obtain a bag of M&M’s and a plate.

<<Do not eat from the prepared bag of M&M’s… We will have a fresh supply out for you to enjoy.>>

2. Place 2 PAIRS of each color on the plate. FOUR PAIRS for the size investigation
3. Each student in the group will act as the predator for one entire test.
4. The predator will turn their back to the table where the plate of prey is sitting.
5. One group member will thoroughly mix the M&M’s on the plate and move the position of the plate on the table slightly.
6. Mix the M&M’s before each predator attack.
7. When the prey is ready…
8. The predator will turn towards the table as quickly as possible, grabbing the first M&M they see. Then, they will quickly return to their starting position. (Turning and striking quickly is critical to this simulation!)
9. This simulates one "kill." Each kill happens this way: TURN, GRAB, RETURN.
10. The group will then keep track of the color that was victimized. This information will be recorded in order to keep track of the population trend for each color (or size) of M&M.

Specific directions for each round!

ROUND 1 1. Start with four of each color or eight of each size

1. The 1^st predator will make 4 successful kills. Using the method described above.
2. Using the appropriate data table, record the effect these four kills had on your M&M’s populations.
3. Next the species hits the time of year that it reproduces…

1. Add one more M&M to the plate for each pair of like M&M’s. (Each couple will reproduce.)
2. For example: There are 2 yellows, so 1 yellow is added

There are 3 browns, so 1 brown is added (there is only one couple.)

There are 4 blues, so 2 blues are added (one for each pair.)

3. If there is only one of a color, that variation can no longer reproduce.

1. Using the appropriate data table, record the effect these four kills had on your M&M’s populations.

1. Using the appropriate data table, record the effect these four kills had on your M&M’s populations.
2. Next the species hits the time of year that it reproduces…

1. Add one more M&M to the plate for each pair of like M&M’s. (Each couple will reproduce.)

1. The last thing that will happen is one last reproduction.
2. Add one more M&M to the plate for each pair of like M&M’s. (Each couple will reproduce.)
3. Using the appropriate data table, record the effect this reproduction had on your M&M’s populations.

CONCLUSIONS:

1. In your experiments, which variation was eliminated first? (What color or size and on what plate?) ________________________
2. As discussed in class, which variation class wide was the most dramatically affected by being preyed upon? _________________
3. Examine your data. Predict which of your variations will be eliminated next if your experiment were to continue. ____________
4. Predict which of your variation would not be eliminated in this simulation. ____________________________
5. Come up with an M&M situation (variation and environment) that would allow a variation’s population to regularly increase.

 

 

 

 

6. How does this simulation accurately reflect what truly happens in the wild where a predator-prey relationship is happening.

 

 

 

 

 

7. What about this simulation does not reflect what is happening in a natural situation.

 

 

 

 

8. In your own words… Describe how natural selection works.

 

 

 

 

9. Make a LINE graph of your data. One graph for each data table.