Name ______Date______Class______

Due Date: June 1, 2012 1/3 of Final Exam Grade

Diversity of Life Project

This project is designed to help you discover the diversity of life on this planet and determine the specific needs and characteristic of a particular living thing.

Directions:

  1. Select an animal, plant, fungi, or protist that you would like to research. Each student must research a different organism. Your organism must be approved before you start the project. Your organism cannot be a domesticated animal (like a pet), it must be found in the wild. Try to find something unusual or unique. The purpose of this project is to discover diversity.
  2. Find the entire name of your organism. For example python is not acceptable. You need the full name such as the Burmese python. You also need the scientific name of the organism,genus and species.
  3. You will research the information below and create a brochure about your organism. I will provide a large piece of white paper, which you will fold into a tri-fold brochure. Your brochure will include, text (written material), diagrams and pictures. If you wish you may present this project in another way, like power point or some other visual media. However if you choose this option you must present your project in class. A list of times will be provided so you can sign up for a time slot.
  4. Find information from; the internet, Scientific Magazines, periodicals, newspaper articles, scientific or general encyclopedias include a bibliography

Information that must be included in your brochure:

1.Classification Information- Identify the unique physical characteristics or your organism. Give the entire classification of your organism from Kingdom to species.

2.Characteristics as a living thing-

  • Cell Type- prokaryotic, eukaryotic, plant or animal; type of cell walls
  • Growth, Development and Life span: What changes does your organism go through as it grows and develops? How long does it live?
  • Reproduction Describe how your organism reproduces (sexually or asexually) include types of cell division. What is the gestation period for your organism (length of pregnancy)? How many offspring are born? For insects of plants you will need to describe the life cycle of the organism. Are young cared for or are they left on their own. K verses R strategists. Is the organism on the endangered species list.

3.Habitat

  • Ecosystem-Describe the ecosystem where the organism lives. Include information on the biome. List five plants and five animals that live in the biome, with your organism.
  • Response to their Environment What adaptations does the organism have that makes it well suited to its environment? Tell how the organism responds to changes in its environment, such as changes in temperature, drought, the introduction of a new species, or the influences of man?
  • Feeding Habits Explain how the organism obtains its food.Make a food web that contains your organism. What does the organism eat? Is it a herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, heterotroph or autotroph? It is a predator or prey?

4.Population information-

  • Size of population-describe two density dependent and two density independent limiting factors for the population
  • Human impact- describe any affects that humans have on the population size, for example habitat destruction.

*This Project will count 1/3 of your Final Exam Grade*

Due Date: No later than_ June 1, 2012_

  • The organism I have chosen is: ______
  • Scientific Name:______

Biodiversity Project Rubric

Name ______Date______Class______

Due Date: June 1, 2012 1/3 of Final Exam Grade

Name / Points / Grade
Common Name / 5
Scientific name / 5
Classification / 10
Cell Type
  • Prokaryote/ eukaryote
  • Plant/animal/cell wall
/ 10
Growth & Development / 10
Reproduction
  • Mitosis/ meiosis
/ 10
Ecosystem
  • Habitat
  • Biome
/ 10
Adaptations to environment / 10
Feeding Habits
  • Food web
/ 10
Populations
  • Density dependent factor
  • Density Independent factor
/ 10
Human Impacts
  • Endangered species
/ 10
Total / 100

Name ______Date______Class______

Due Date: June 1, 2012 1/3 of Final Exam Grade

Name ______Date______Class______

Due Date: June 1, 2012 1/3 of Final Exam Grade