Trichome Counting and Natural Selection

The video explores the concept of species variation, highlighting how different organisms can belong to the same species. It explains natural selection using gazelles and cheetahs as an example and contrasts it with artificial selection, where humans influence traits. The video then introduces an experiment using Wisconsin Fast Plants to demonstrate artificial selection by focusing on trichome variation. It provides detailed instructions on setting up the experiment, growing plants, counting trichomes, and collecting data. Finally, viewers are encouraged to design their own experiments to manipulate plant traits.

What might surprise an alien about species on Earth?

• Different looking organisms can be the same species.

• All plants are different species.

• All animals are the same species.

• Species never change over time.

How does natural selection affect gazelles?

• Gazelles are unaffected by predators.

• Slower gazelles reproduce more.

• Faster gazelles are more likely to survive and reproduce.

• All gazelles have the same speed.

What is a key difference between natural and artificial selection?

• Artificial selection does not affect species.

• Artificial selection occurs without human intervention.

• Natural selection is driven by environmental pressures.

• Natural selection is controlled by humans.

How did breeders create Chihuahuas and Great Danes?

• By mixing different species of dogs.

• By selecting for size over many generations.

• By letting all dogs reproduce freely.

• By using genetic engineering.

What makes Wisconsin Fast Plants suitable for lab experiments?

• They grow very slowly.

• They require no light.

• They have a fast germination time.

• They are not affected by temperature.

What is the purpose of counting trichomes in the experiment?

• To determine the color of the plants.

• To measure the height of the plants.

• To assess the fuzziness of the plants.

• To calculate the weight of the plants.

Why is consistency important in trichome counting?

• To ensure all plants are the same height.

• To change the color of the plants.

• To maintain uniformity in data collection.

• To make the plants grow faster.

What is the first true leaf in a plant?

• Any leaf on the plant.

• The leaf that appears after the cotyledons.

• The cotyledons themselves.

• The last leaf to grow.

How should trichome data be recorded?

• Not recorded at all.

• In a spreadsheet and on the plant.

• Only on the plant.

• Only in a spreadsheet.

What is the goal of the artificial selection experiment with trichomes?

• To make the plants grow taller.

• To produce a plant with more or fewer trichomes.

• To develop a plant with no leaves.

• To create a new species of plant.