Functional+Response+TA+Manual

The purpose of this lab is to teach the students about predator prey relationships, specifically the functional response (response of the predators to different prey densities). They actually get to be predators on //Artemia// (brine shrimp or sea monkeys) in two different habitats open and vegetated. Students should see differences in functional responses depending on what habitat they are eating in. - Learn and understand the functional response of a predator at varying prey densities - Identify possible factors that cause variation and how these factors could alter the results of your experiment Equipment: -Tupperware container filled with salt water -3-4 plants -stopwatch -plastic pipette -brine shrimp (number depends on what density each group is assigned to) Before you start the activity, explain the 3 types of functional responses and have your class come up with real life examples of each (i.e. type one- baleen whale, type two seals and oysters, type three- owls and mice) For the activity, explain that the students are the predators. Other roles should also be assigned (timer/helper and recorder). Before they begin, they need to develop predictions about the types of functional responses they would get with the open habitat. Discuss the results as a class. Did your data follow your predictions? If not, why? What are the sources of variation in the experiment? What were the limitations and how could this have impacted the study? Each group needs to turn in one copy of graphs at the end of class. -- Grading: 10 points total 3 pts for graph and questions for part 1 3 pts for graph and questions for part 2 3 pts for graph and questions for part 3 1 pt for overall quality --
 * Lab 10: Functional Response**
 * Objectives:**