Drafts

By generating a Lokta-Volterra model and analyzing the results of this competition, the outcome of the competition between C. maculate (Species 1) and E. Civile (Species 2) can be determined as reaching stable equilibrium. This outcome will be most likely to occur based on the data points present in the model which in turn generates isocline 1, isocline 2, and four separate arrow sets in the respective zones that all point to a central, stable equilibrium point. In Zone 1, below both of the isoclines, the populations of both competing species will increase. In Zone 2, which is found above Species 2 (E. Civile) isocline and below Species 1 (C. maculate) isocline, the population size of Species 1 will increase and the population size of Species 2 will decrease.

By generating a Lokta-Volterra model and analyzing the results of this competition, the outcome of the competition between C. maculate (Species 1) and E. Civile (Species 2) can be determined as reaching stable equilibrium. This outcome will be most likely to occur based on the data points present in the model which in turn generates isocline 1, isocline 2, and four separate arrow sets in the respective zones that all point to a central, stable equilibrium point.

By generating a Lokta-Volterra model and analyzing the results of this competition, the outcome of the competition between C. maculate (Species 1) and E. Civile (Species 2) can be determined as reaching stable equilibrium. This outcome will be most likely to occur based on the data points present in the model which in turn generates isocline 1, isocline 2, and four separate arrow sets in the respective zones that all point to a central, stable equilibrium point.

Previous studies show that oxidative stress is both necessary and sufficient for triggering ISC proliferation. However, the mechanisms behind oxidative stress and mitogenic signals are relatively poorly understood. This figure displays that TRP1 and RyR genes are required for ISC self-renewal but not differentiation. MARCM clones are analyzed along with their control counterparts 10 d after clone induction. The bar graph represents number of cells per clone, 5 guts were analyzed per genotype, and data shows the average + SEM. MARCM, or mosaic analysis with a repressible cell marker, relies on recombination during mitosis  mediated by the Flp-FRT system. Flp-FRT is a site-directed recombination technology. (FRT= flippase recognition target). According to the researchers, the cells still proliferate but not a lot of them are stem cells. So, these genes TRP1 and RyR are recognized to be important for ISC self-renewal but not for differentiation. 

Three cellar spiders were placed in separate  clear containers to allow observation without interfering with spider’s predation. Each spider was then placed in three varying temperatures of 29℃, 22℃, and 14℃. Prey were selected according to size because cellar spiders rely on the complicated matrix of their web to entangle their prey as the web is not adhesive.  Prey were observed to be consumed in time intervals of hours after insertion to the spider habitat. No energy was used to coax the fruit fly into the web and the spider ate the 2 flies out of the 3.

The law of definite proportions is a law of science that says that a chemical compound is always made up of the exact same proportion of elements by mass. So, if a compound is made by combining 1/4 from one chemical and the remaining 3/4 from another chemical, these proportions will always hold true, regardless of the number of chemicals added.

We found a paper that dealt with spider web production in terms of web mass and temperatures affect on it. They used 20 female spiders and randomly assigned them to one of their 4 temperature groups. They kept them at the temperature for six days (Barghusen et al). Fruit flies were dropped into the web with an relatively complex apparatus, beyond the scope of our project. They created a gradient of temperatures by putting two aluminum pans on a hot plate. The pans were positioned in such a way that the entire pan wouldn’t get hot. The different temperature regions were indicated by marking on the pan, not barriers that the spider could not cross. They found that web mass was much lighter in the colder conditions. We used some of their methods and ideas to design our own experiment, particularly their enclosure design.  

When defining our sample area, we chose areas of water that seemed to be as similar as possible. At the campus pond, we stood roughly one foot from the water, near an abundant source of vegetation including shrubbery and a tree. When we went to the Sylvan creek, we tried our best to find a location that matched the campus pond as best as possible. Eventually we found a spot that was surrounded by vegetation including shrubs, grasses, and trees, similar to those seen at the campus pond.  To collect our samples from the two locations, we used a plankton net. The net was tossed roughly three meters into the water and reeled in. This process was repeated three times in order to gather as large of a sample as possible. Once this process was complete, the contents collected in the container attached to the net was transferred to a falcon tube and brought back to the lab in order to observe them underneath a microscope.

Spider webs are extremely thin, the largest silk fibers being only 5-10 μm. Some can be as thin as only 50 nm, making spider webs very difficult to measure. We found a publication that explains the use of light microscopy to accurately and precisely measure the width of spider webs. Webs are extremely strong, comparable to steel and also super flexible. However, because of the microscopic size, the different principles of silk have not been greatly investigated. In this review they used a polarized light microscope to illuminate the spider webs and images were taken that were then used for comparisons and measurements.

Nastic movements are important mechanisms in plants that act as defense against herbivory, blah blah. A nastic movement in the Mimosa pudica plant, or sensitive plant, is thigmonasty. This mechanosensory response is stimulated by touch or movement of the plant and causes the plant leaves to collapse on themselves. In order to understand how nastic movements are affected by its surroundings, this experiements will test thigmonasty in Mimosa pudica plants under 5 difference conditions. Four of the environments will have varying amounts of water and sunlight given to the plants during its growth period to understand how irregular conditions affect the nastic movements. A fifth environment will test the nastic movements of the plants under normal growing conditions. The nastic movements will be observed by timing the response closure time and reopening time of the leaves after touching the leaves with a cotton swab. Following data collection of each time interval ten times, overlapping graphs will be made to easily identified how the nastic movements times have been affected by each irregular environment compared to the control group.