Self and Unit Evaluation

1-What were the three aspects of the assignments I've submitted that I am most proud of?

A- My first aspect of this unit assignments that I am most proud of is my Species Lab. I did a good job and also had fun thinking of and identifying all of the "species" I run into each day. The second aspect I am proud of are my compendiums! NOT the pictures I posted with them (I rushed and did not put much effort into collecting them for this unit), but just the fact that I got the compendiums complete, as I am quite tired of doing them this semester! The third aspect I am proud of is my Fetal Development Lab and write up...I did a good job and learned alot! Once again, what a miracle life truly is as I have learned time and time again this semster in ways I never gave credit to before in my life!!

******I FORGOT THE THING I AM THE MOST PROUD OF MR. FROLICH...DID YOU SEE MY QUIZ GRADES???? I GOT HIGH GRADES THIS TIME AND ALOT LESS TEST ANXIETY!!!!! I ACTUALLY GOT 90% ON MY SECOND QUIZ!!!! WOO-HOO!!

2. What two aspects of my submitted assignments do I believe could have used some improvement?

A- I am not submitting a blog post for "Who should Reproduce (10 point possible) or am I submitting "Feedback" on the NING network (5 points possible) so I am counting that as one area I could improve. My second area I know I could have done better on unit four was my blog posts (meaning the pictures and the layout...not meaning the actual compendium information and work) for my Compendiums...BUT I am honestly tired of the finickiness of the blog itself at times and in my favor I think I spent ALMOST as long attempting to make it space correctly and not re-arrange itself, as I almost spent writing the actual compendium! It got very frustrating at times for this final unit! :-(

3. What do I believe my overall grade should be for this unit?

A- an A !!!


4. How could I perform better in the next unit?

A- I would spend more time with the web-links to learn outside information and differing opinions.

At what moment during this unit did you feel most engaged with the course?

A- During the species lab when I was trying to take a picture of the Arizona Spur- Throat Grass Hopper.

At what moment unit did you feel most distanced from the course?

A-When the blog would not respond.

What action that anyone (teacher or student) took during this unit that find most affirming and helpful?

A- When Mr' Frolich stated at the very beginning of this unit that it would be somewhat easier than the previous unit loads!!! Thank you!

What action that anyone (teacher or student) took during this unit did you find most puzzling or confusing?

A-None I can think of.

What about this unit surprised you the most? (This could be something about your own reactions to the course, something that someone did, or anything else that occurs to you.)

A- My ability on my tests was quite awesome and esteem boosting! The big thing to me this unit was the fact that I TRULY enjoyed the subject of evolution/development of man and even more the small segment on fossils was right up my alley! I love earth sciences because rocks and minerals are one of my greatest passions so I soaked up all of those parts greedily.

Unit Four:Online Lab/Human Population Demographics

World population 2050 compared to Nambia population 2050

World population 2050 compared to Germany population 2050

1. What was your high fertility rate country and what was its fertility rate?

A- My high fertility rate country is Nambia and the fertility rate is 3.20 children.

2. What was your low fertility rate country and what was its fertility rate?

A- My low fertility rate country is Germany and the fertility rate is 1.40 children.

3. The initial demographic "shape" of your high fertility rate country should have been a pyramid, with high population in young age groups. Explain why high fertility rate results in a high percentage of young people in the population. How does this affect future population growth?

A- This is because when the number is high in the fertility age bracket the population numbers increase in the "young" category because of the increased births. The future is affected in thepopulation statistics when tracking the "young" age bracket into middle age, old age, and death with increased numbers in all areas. The later future numbers for the "fertility rate" may decrease as the demographic area becomes enlarged with the prior population aging and the strain it can put on an area.

4. Your low fertility rate country might have had a more oval-shaped curve with high population in middle age groups. This is especially exaggerated if the fertility rate is below 2.00. Explain why low fertility rate leads to lots of middle-aged people.

A- Low fertility rate in a country will lead to less births which then increases the middle sector, (which is middle age) to become proportionally higher simply because of the lack of new population.

5. Write ten adjectives or descriptive phrases for what you might expect life, people's attitudes, conditions on the streets, etc. will be like in each of those situations. Imagine a situation with lots of middle-aged and older people in the population and write ten quick "brain-storm" descriptors for you think it would be like (Prescott, Arizona?). Then do the same for a situation with lots of children in the population.To get full credit for this lab (20 points), you just have to post the two screen shots and answer all the questions.

A-Scenerio with middle to old age population- 1-slower paced 2-politically conservative/ moderate 3- structured 4-predictible 5- lacking diversity in cultural differences 6- regulated 7- cautious8- unflexible 9-financially fixed 10- lacking individuality and the freedom to be controversial. 11- somewhat stagnant or possibly resistant to changing.

A- Scenerio with lots of children in the population- 1- fast paced life style 2- spontaneous 3-risk taking 4- liberal thinking 5- social program oriented 6- "green oriented" for the planet Earth 7- out spoke 8- cultural diversified and open to alternative life style. 9- community expansion minded 10- high achievement oriented 11- self propelled

UnitFour Lab Project: List of Species

Unit 4 Lab Project: List of Species

1-(a) Homo sapiens (b) my husband/his name is Tony c) symbiotic (d) domesticated/ We have co-evolved for certain, as we are both of the same species. I think homo sapiens will continue to co-exist and co-evolve until the end of life as we know it here on earth.

my husband and I at our wedding on November 6 2004

2-(a) Cervus Canadensis (b) elk jerky c) symbiotic or mutualism (d) domesticated/ The reason I said both symbiotic and mutualism is because it seems that humans have the advantage over the elk, especially with the lowered population numbers of the elk in the wild. Humans hunt elk and also elk are used as livestock for human consumption. I think co-evolution will continue, however, the elk species will become more dependent for their survival on humans as time goes on . 3- (a) Geococcyx Californianus (b) Road Runner c) symbiotic or mutualism
(d) unsure whether this is domesticated. The reason I question whether it is wild or domesticated is because the road runner, although considered wild, has adapted to human population, traffic, and less land to survive on. I think humans and this species will continue to co-evolve and that because of the road runners ability to adapt and because of its speed, habits, and nature, it will survive for a very long time.

4- (a) Felis Catus or Felis Silvestriscatus (b) house cat/our cat, her name is Wickett Renae Tootle c) symbiotic (d) domesticated/ I think humans have been evolving with cats for thousands of years. I think over time cats have become more ‘domesticated” but I think that cats could also go back to complete predatory/hunters and survive very well without humans.

Me and our cat Wickett Renae Tootle

5- (a) Salvia Greatae (b) Lavender Sage c) symbiotic/mutualistic (d) domesticated/ I think over time this type of plant has become domesticated in some strains (varieties) Humans have genetically adapted this plant in some ways to enhance some things possibly, such as fragrance or color, or watering needs. I think this plant and humans will continue to co-evolve and that they have a mutually beneficial relat

lavendar sage I have planted in back yard

6- (a) Rhizopus Nigerians (b) Bread mold c) Parasitic or mutualism (d) domesticated in a laboratory for medicinal use and Not domesticated (predation) when growing on bread and making it inedible./I think humans have been co-evolving with molds for a long time and that possibly by accident a medicinal use (antibiotics) was discovered. I think that mold and humans will continue to co-evolve together and that this may even be a symbiotic relationship as opposed to a parasitic one.

7- (a) Bostaurus (b) heavy whipping cream from a dairy cow c) symbiotic (d) domesticated/ I think humans have been co-evolving with cows/cattle for quite awhile now and that because cows can be such a source of food (both from meat and also the milk products they produce) and clothing, and possible even parts of shelter, tools, other resources, they have been quite valued. I see some problems with the “over-domestication” of these animals in some ways. Things such as Mad Cow Disease and other illnesses may be caused by the over taking of this species by man for their needs.

8- (a) Nepeta Cataria (b) Catnip c) symbiotic (d) domesticated for some strains (varieties)/ I imagine that some varieties have been altered in some ways for agricultural purposes. I think that this plant along with many others would be able to adapt back to the wild varieties fairly quickly if man no longer was here to manipulate the species.

9- (a) Melanoplus Arizonae Scudder, S.H. 1878 (b) Arizona Spur- Throat Grass Hopper
c) Predation? Mutualism? (d) undomesticated/ I think that the grass hopper definitely benefits off human population because the grass hopper is well fed, due to ample food and also water, because man needs agriculture goods and this is what these insects live off of. I think they have co-evolved with humans and possibly even prospered due to the increase human population. I also think humans could be deadly to the grass hopper with toxic chemicals and altering the ecosystems and not ensuring biodiversity in certain areas.

A grass hopper in my back yard

10- (a) Actinomyces Viscosus (b) plaque c) parasitic (d) domesticated/ I think humans have been co-evolving with many types of organisms on and in their bodies over a very long period of time. I think that with many of the items that we use on and in our bodies to smell better, to look better, and to clean with, we are actually inviting some parasitic organisms as well as detouring others. I think this relationship will continue between the two species.

Me brushing my teeth and removing dental plaque before going to bed

11- (a) Gallus Domesticus (b) chicken breasts baked c) symbiotic (d) domesticated/ Humans and chickens have co-evolved for quite awhile. Humans use chickens in many ways: they are a livestock, used for their eggs, and used for their feathers possibly. I think the relationship will continue because humans meet the chickens needs and they in turn meet human needs. I think that because of some of our domestication practices, we have caused illness and maladaptions to the chicken as a species and this in turn has created some illnesses toward humans.

12- (a) Gallus Domesticus (b) eggs c) symbiotic (d) domesticated/ Humans and chickens have co-evolved for quite awhile. Humans use chickens in many ways: they are a livestock, used for their eggs, and used for their feathers possibly. I think the relationship will continue because humans meet the chickens needs and they in turn meet human needs. I think that because of some of our domestication practices, we have caused illness and maladaptions to the chicken as a species and this in turn has created some illnesses toward humans.

A hard boiled egg I am going to eat

13- (a) HBV-Human Hepatitus B Virus (b) Hep B c) parasitic (d) domesticated/ I think humans have evolved with this virus and that because humans live in such close proximity, this viral disease has actually become more common and has thrived in recent history. I think this virus will continue to do well, especially in certain pockets of society, such as IV drug users and unprotected sexual practices and also by people who engage with numerous sexual partners. In the big picture this virus may die out as the human populations dies off that engage in the unsafe practices.

14- (a) Glycinemax (L.) merr. (b) soy nuts c) symbiotic or mutualism (d) domesticated/ I think that soy beans have become quite domesticated with the population growth of humans. I think that certain traits and characteristics are bred into strains of this plant species to make it more usable, practical, and marketable for humans and I also think this will continue.

Soy nuts to eat for a healthhy snack

15- (a) Valeriana sp. (b) Valerian Root Tea c) symbiotic/mutualism (d) domesticated and also some left in the world as wild/ So far I have not used the term “commensal” in regard to community relationships so this may be one of my examples that should fit into this category. I think humans have interacted with herbs for many hundreds and thousands of years as they have found medicinal as well as nutritional uses for these type of plants. I believe that humans will continue to co-evolve with this species and also will continue to adapt it to human needs and desires.

A cup of brewed valerian root tea to help sleep come more easily.

16- (a) Sus Scrofa (b) Pig/ Bacon c) symbiotic (d) domesticated/ I think the livestock pig has become quite domesticated in the past few hundred years. I think humans will continue to make pigs part of the livestock food chain for consumption and that it is a symbiotic relationship that serves both species well. I also think because of genetic adaptations imposed by humans on the livestock, that pigs have been genetically compromised in many ways to go back and live in an undomesticated environment.

Bacon I am going to cook to eat.


17- (a) Mentha Spicato (b) Spearmint c) mutualism or symbiotic (d) domesticated/ I think this herb, like many others, has a variety of strains that have become completely domesticated, however, I also think that without human interaction, this herb would be able to return to non-domestication fairly quick.

18- (a) Canis Lupus Familiaris (b) Neighbor’s Dog /Houdini c) symbiotic (d) domesticated/ I think Houdini has become dependent on humans to take care of his almost every need. I believe that our neighbors dog would actually die without human assistance due to certain health issues and also his old age. In the wild world, Houdini would not be able to survive due to Natural Selection.

Houdini is our neighbor's dog who is quite old and also has diabetes and arthritis disease.

19- (a) Cinnamomum Verum (b) Cinnamon c) mutualism or symbiotic (d) some varieties are completely domesticated and others are still probably wild in the world./ I think that cinnamon as a spice has become domesticated by humans over the past couple of thousand years. Humans and this spice, along with many others, have co-evolved and have benefited from each other. I think spices have been a food product as well as a bartering tool and status symbol for humans so they have served multi purposes for people.

20- (a) Cucurbitaceous (b) pumpkin (field?) c) mutualism or symbiotic (d) most varieties are completely domesticated by humans but some strains may still be wild. Humans and this species have co-evolved for hundreds of years and this relationship will continue for a long time I think. Pumpkins can be used as food for their fruit meat as well as nutritional value can be found in their seeds. I think another advantage to the symbiotic relationship is that planting of the seeds is fairly easy and also the seeds would go back to the earth simply by the process of decomposition in the fields as well as with purposeful planting of the crops.

A pumpkin we made into our jack-o-lantern and then roasted the seeds to eat.