Diversity Of Organisms

• Databot with two temperature
  probes

• IOS/Android Smart Device

• Heat source (e.g., incandescent
  lamp)

• Insulation materials (cotton, foil,
  leather, wool, or other fabrics)

• Rubber bands, glass with water

• Install Vizeey™ on your
  Smart device.

Diversity of Organisms

Overview

Background

What You Will Need/Prep

• Test your databot™ connection.

• You will be prompted to select
  and connect to databot™ each
  time you launch an experiment.

• If there are two or more
  databot™'s listed, the one
  closest to your device will be
  highlighted.

Have you ever wondered how animals survive in
extreme environments? In this lesson, you will explore
how the outer coverings of different animals help
them adapt to their habitats. Using databot, you will
simulate animal skin adaptations and analyze how
they help regulate body temperature, ensuring survival
in challenging conditions.

• Study the background
  information and terms and
  prepare to explore!

Grades: Middle School

Time: 45 Minutes

Subject: Life Science

Topics: Adaptation, Temperature
Regulation

Adaptation and specialization are fundamental
concepts in biology, illustrating how organisms are
designed to survive and thrive in their environments.
Animals develop unique features over time to overcome
challenges in their habitats. For example, polar bears
have thick fur and fat layers to retain heat in cold
climates, while desert animals like camels have
reflective coats to avoid overheating.

The outer covering of an animal, such as fur, feathers, or
scales, plays a critical role in maintaining its body
temperature. These coverings act as insulators, heat
reflectors, or protective barriers, depending on the
environment. By understanding these adaptations, you
can appreciate how animals are uniquely equipped to
survive in diverse conditions.

Temp Probe

By the end of this lesson, you will:

• Understand how biological adaptations enhance survival in specific environments.

• Investigate the role of animal coverings in regulating body temperature.

• Use databot’s sensors to collect and analyze data on temperature changes.

• Compare the effectiveness of different materials in simulating animal adaptations.

• Adaptation: A characteristic that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its
  environment.

• Insulation: The process of reducing heat loss or gain by using materials that trap or
  reflect heat.

• Temperature Regulation: The ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal
  temperature despite external changes.

• Environment: The natural world or specific conditions in which an organism lives.

In this lesson, you will investigate how different materials, mimicking animal coverings,
affect temperature regulation. Through hands-on experimentation, you will learn how these
adaptations work and why they are vital for survival.

Interesting Facts

Arctic foxes have fur that changes color with the seasons: white in winter for
camouflage in snow and brown in summer to blend with the tundra.

Some desert animals, like the fennec fox, have large ears that help dissipate heat and
keep their bodies cool.

Feathers are not only for flight in birds but also provide insulation and waterproofing.

The scales of reptiles help prevent water loss, an essential adaptation for survival in dry
environments.

Temp Probe

• Current temperature 2.

Press this button to start

the experiment.

You can connect 2 temperature sensors to the
databot and use them. Connect them to the correct
port.

If you see the sensor value -127, it means that the
sensor is not connected.

In order to work with the experiment you need to launch the Vizeey application and click on
+ in the upper right corner.

Then select “Add experiment from QR code” and scan the QR code prepared for this
experiment. Your experiment will appear in the list.

When you start the experiment active databots show up in
your connection list. Select the one with the strongest
signal (blue). Make sure your databot is turned on.

• Here you will see a graph of temperature 1
  change over time.

• Current temperature 1

• Here you will see a graph of
  temperature 2 change over time.

• When you press the Fix
  Temperature button, the current
  temperature is recorded in the
  fields.

• When you press the button again,
  the previous data is lost.

Temp Probe

Prediction 1: Will materials like fur-like fabric will be better at retaining heat compared to
reflective materials like foil.

Prediction 2: Will reflective materials perform better at keeping databot cool in warm
environments.

Part 1: Initial Observations and Questions

Part 2: Hypothesis

Part 3: Experiment Procedure

Materials Needed:

• Databot with two temperature sensors

• Heat source (e.g., incandescent lamp)

• Insulation materials: cotton, foil, leather, wool, or other fabrics

• Rubber bands or make pockets out of test fabrics to attach the temperature sensors

• Water glass for temperature equalization (if desired)

Based on your initial observations, make a hypothesis about the experiment:

(Write down your hypotheses and be prepared to test them during the experiment.)

Temp Probe

Experiment Steps:

• Ensure the temperature sensors are in close contact with
  the fabric for accurate readings. Create fabric pockets or
  secure the sensors using rubber bands.

• Turn on databot and connect both temperature sensors.

• Equalize the temperature of both sensors by immersing them in a glass of water for 1
  minute.

• Prepare the heat source and turn it on. Ensure it is stable and ready for the experiment.

• Attach one temperature sensor to the prepared fabric materials (e.g., cotton to
  represent fur, foil for a heat-reflecting structure, fabric for feathers).

  • Avoid touching the sensor directly with your hands to prevent heat interference.

• Start the experiment by placing both sensors under the heat source. One sensor should
  remain exposed, while the other is covered by the insulation material.

• During the experiment, you need to record the temperature values every 30 seconds for
  5 minutes

  • Press the "Fix Temperature" button every 30 seconds to capture the next values for
    your data table.

• Once you have captured the values, write them down in the table to avoid losing any
  information and prepare to capture the values at the next 30 second mark. Be fast and
  accurate!

• Repeat the experiment using different materials to cover the sensor.

Temp Probe

Complete a table to document your results:

Material______________________________

Material______________________________

Material______________________________

Consider which animal coverings might
correspond to each material based on its
performance.

Create a graph below to visualize the data and interpret the results.

Identify which material provided the best
insulation by comparing the temperature
changes.

Temp Probe

Part 5: Concept Questions

1. What was the most surprising result from the experiment?

2. If you were to design a protective covering for extreme environments, which material
would you choose based on the results? Why?

3. What questions do you have after completing this experiment

Part 6: Reflection

Temp Probe