Lab 1

Introduction to Science

Name

SCI 207

Date

Lab 1 - Exercise 1: Data Interpretation

Dissolved oxygen is oxygen that is trapped in a fluid, such as water. Since many living organism requires oxygen to survive, it is a necessary component of water systems such as streams, lakes and rivers in order to support aquatic life. The dissolved oxygen is measured in units of parts per million (ppm). Examine the data in Table 4 showing the amount of dissolved oxygen present and the number of fish observed in the body of water the sample was taken from; finally, answer the questions below.

Questions

1. What patterns do you observe based on the information in Table 4?

The fewer amounts of fish, the more oxygen there is in the water. They oxygen is measured in 2’s and the less fish there is the more oxygen there is.

2. Develop a hypothesis relating to the amount of dissolved oxygen measured in the water sample and the number of fish observed in the body of water?

The more fish there is, the less amount of oxygen there is in the water. According to author’s Mckinsey& Chapman, “for fishes, dissolved oxygen is an abiotic factor that can limit habitat quality and affect survival, growth, and reproduction” (Mckinsey, D. & Chapman, L. 1998, pg. 211, para. 1).

3. What would your experimental approach be to test this hypothesis?

I would add fish to the water and test the oxygen, and then remove fish and test the oxygen with each (ppm) in counts of 2 (ppm). Also, I would use the same spot, and the same time of day.

4. What would be the independent and dependent variables?

The independent variable is the number of fish observed, and the dependent variable is the dissolved oxygen (ppm).

5. What would be your control?

My control would be using the same water source, the same time of day, and as close to the same temperature as possible, also, the same weather outside....