Drafts

An original figure was made and a methods proportion written in order for a colleague to create an analogous replicate figure.  Both the original and replicate figures detailing the orchid Oncidium Sharry Baby have differences despite following the same methods.  Photos in parts A and B of figure 2 are taken at angles and distances non-congruent to figure 1, and differ hue due to the usage of two different cameras.  Part C of figure 2 is comprised of a different world map as well as an alternate hue of turquoise.  There was also highlighting of the caribbean islands in figure 2 part C due to a misunderstanding of the countries that comprise central america.  In figure 2 there was differences in font, bolding, and orientation of the panel labels.  The methods were closely followed to produce figure 2, resulting in quantitative differences in comparison to figure 1.

The Spring 2018 Writing in Biology Class Methods project focused on the importance of a methods section in scientific writing. One student made a figure and wrote a methods section that would allow another student to recreate it. The student made a figure the Blc Momilani ‘The Gypsy’ flower that is located in the Durfee Conservatory on the University of Massachusetts Amherst Campus. When another student recreated the figure of the plant, differences were observed in the labels of the figure, which were a consequence of an unspecific methods section. Photography was also another way in which the figures were different. The differences in the photos taken of the plant were because of different cameras used and an unspecified description of how to take the picture. Finally, differences were observed in Part C of the figures. The differences in Part C were caused by directions in inkscape that were impossible to perfectly recreate.

Mars

            The fourth plant from the sun, Mars, has been something scientists at NASA have been gaining information on for the last few years. Dating back to the Romans and Greeks, they have named this bloody colored planet based on their God of war. Its red color is due to the rust of the iron-rich minerals that are very abundant on the planet. Like Earth, it contains an atmosphere, although thin, but is significant enough to mean there is flowing liquid water on the surface which has been confirmed. Mars is also home of the largest volcanoes in the solar system, one of which is 370 miles in diameter, in comparison, enough to cover the entire state of New Mexico. Compared to Earth, the climate of Mars is much colder due to its distance from the sun. The average temperature reaching negative 80 degrees Fahrenheit, but also has the ability to reach negative 195 degrees Fahrenheit as well as 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition to its temperature, it is also 95% carbon dioxide, 2.7% nitrogen, and 0.13% oxygen. The temperature, atmospheric make up and distance have been the key concerns with manned exploration on mars, however NASA has been able to unmanned space crafts to gather more information on the planet as years go by. With this, they hope to be able to send a manned mission to mars by 2030, this being a one-way trip as the trip takes seven months to reach Mars which would deplete resources quickly disabling the return of the astronaut.

The purpose of this project was to search for plants on campus that could be used to create a multipanel figure that would later be followed step by step another student using a methods process. The flower chosen for this project was the Camellia-Japonica Debutante, which can be found in the Dufree Conservatory outside of Morrill 4. In this paper we will identify how the flower imagery was created and replicated and what steps could be modified or improved to get better results on both ends.

In Spring 2018, as part of Biology Writing 312 course at University of Massachusetts, Amherst we were given the Methods Project. The Methods Project is designed for each student to create their own multi paneled figure. I was instructed to find a flower from anywhere around the campus, and to create a multi panel with at least three different parts to the figure. The panel is supposed to contain a close up photo of the flower, a photo that contains the whole plant, and a map illustrating where the flower we had chose originally comes from. After we created ou individual figures, I submitted the final draft to Professor Brewer so he could give a copy to a classmate.

    I obtained two photos of the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Malvaceae, commonly known as the “Snow Queen,” from the Morrill Greenhouses at 12-1 pm. The first photo I obtained was a detailed close up of the flower, while the second photo was a photo that included detail of the plant as a whole. I also created a map that showed the flower originated in East Asia. I created one multi paneled figure with the two photos and the map I created.  I then gave my methods to a classmate to obtain similar photos that I had taken, and for them to create their own multi paneled figure by following what I had did. The results showed that the figure produced by my classmate was different than the figure I had produced. The panel produced by my classmate was structured different as Figure 2A was the close up photo and Figure 2B was the full plant, while Figure 1A was the full plant and Figure 1B was the close up. Figure 2C highlighted two more countries than Figure 1C. The photos in Figure 2 were taken at different angles than Figure 1. Figure 1 had more spaces in between the photos than Figure 2. Factors that lead to the differences between the figures were: different programs to put the separate photos together, photographed a different flower of the same species,  and picking the layouts based on the person’s preference.

    In any kind of experiment carried out an important aspect is the methods section. This impacts whether your results are valid and can be carried out by other colleagues. In this assignment, skills were obtained after learning that in order to have others follow your methods and create an identical result, a key thing is being specific. There are factors that compose a scientific literature and through this project we saw the components of being innovative and using correct word choice.  

After analyzing the replicated multi-panel figure obtained, it clearly exhibits some distinct differences and similarities. Shown below is the replicated multi-panel figure labeled as figure two. In the replicated figure constructed and the original, the same plant species was photographed which means the individual was able to find the Euphorbia pulcherrima euphorbiaceae located in Morrill Greenhouse. In addition, the orientation of images obtained, and lettering is identical. However, there are also some distinct features between the two. It is evident that the individual did not use a similar font, font size, or software to create the figure. In figure 2, there are periods after each lettering and the map is colored in red versus purple. Although the software to generate a world-map was similar the style to display was dissimilar.

They are seasonal bloomers and can grow to a height of 3-10 feet and spread about 3-7 feet. This plant species contains bracts which can vary in color from red, orange, pale green, cream, pink, white, to marbled. However, those bracts are sometimes highly mistaken for flower petals when in actuality they are leaves. It is easy to mistake them because of the grouping of this bracts and the vibrant colors they display. During the day they require a lot of light for the brightest color. Some primary regions of Mexico in which it is native to is in the wild in the deciduous tropical forests. This type of plant is also mostly seen during the festivities time of winter. They have long been seen as a decoration during Christmas time. This is one of the reason I choose this to be my plant species since it’s a plant I have also seen during festivities and it reminds me of home.

Overall, this project was helpful in learning to be descriptive and wording of certain sentences can impact the results you want. Informing of others about the procedure you took to create a figure or study is a key thing when it comes to crafting any kind of piece of scientific literature. From lab notebooks to published articles. There are a variety of factors that resulted in the distinctions between the resulting figures. Specificity should have also been indicated in the angle each image should have been capture. In addition, to how much attention should be drawn to the plant. I should have also specific that the coloring of the countries Euphorbia pulcherrima euphorbiaceae is indigenous to should be purple. Identity of the website and software used to create the map should have been indicated and stated.