Subterranean Termites

Bellwork Thurs. Aug. 25. 2016 The image you see when you look through a light microscope is both __________ and ______________.

termite cannot digest the wood it eats termite cannot digest the wood it eats.  The stomachs of termite workers are filled with little one-called creatures called protozoans. The termite chews the wood and swallows the tiny chips.  The protozoans feed on the cellulose in the wood and convert it into foods that both the protozoans and the termite live on.

Workers These are the termites that cause most of the damage by eating wood, but they also maintain the colony, build and repair the nest, forage for food, and help care for the young. Workers are the most numerous of the three castes.

Workers forage for food; tend eggs, young and reproductives; and build tubes. They are the most numerous and most easily recognized termites. They are creamy white, have neither eyes or wings, and are only 1/4 inch or less long. Workers need a high humidity to survive

Reproductives

Scientific Method Lab Exercise Exploring Termite Behavior Materials 6 pens (2 red, 2 blue, and 2 black Papermate & Bic brand pens) White paper Small brush Termites in a Petri dish Termite Trails https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGaT0B__2DM

Procedure 1. Read subterranean termites information and scientific method information 2. Using the pens, draw lines on white paper. 3. Place several termites on the paper gently using the brush to keep them from straying. 4. Observe the termites carefully and write down all observations. 5. Develop several hypotheses based on your observations. Write your ideas one notebook paper per group 6. Develop a procedure so you can test one of your hypotheses. 7. Write the steps in your procedure, and have Mrs. Wilson approve them before starting the experiment.

Develop Your hypotheses Test your hypotheses

Write this in your notes and refer to it as you do the: Termite Experiment The Independent (manipulated) variable:____________ 2. The dependent (constants/controls) variables _________ 3. We will do the experiment _______ times (remember ther number of pens and the different “trails”) Conduct your experiment. Collect data from your experiment Analyze your data. Organize your data into appropriate tables or graphs.

1. Do the results support your hypothesis? Draw conclusions. Questions to consider when drawing conclusions about your experiment: 1. Do the results support your hypothesis? b. Were there any variations in the observed behaviors? c. Were there any surprises? d. Based on your data, would you accept, reject, or modify your hypothesis? e. Explain.

13. Write up a lab report including all steps of the scientific method, detailed explanations of procedures used in your experiment (so that someone else could repeat your experiment), include all data you gathered in an organized presentation, and conclusions about your data.

Lesson Plan Link http://apps.caes.uga.edu/sbof/main/lessonPlan/UsingTermites.pdf

http://www.youtube.com/feed/history

Bellwork: Wednesday August 14, 2013 List some controls (variables that do not change in the termite lab): What was the independent variable in the termite experiment? What was the dependent variable in the termite experiment?

Fun with Termites: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ClwpgtWP_Y