3D Game Lab - Endergonic vs Exergonic Reactions

Endergonic: An example of an endergonic reaction is photosynthesis. This is an endergonic reaction because photosynthesis requires energy to be absorbed from the sun in order for autotrophs to be able to produce food molecules, such as glucose. The diagram below illustrates how light energy must be absorbed by the plant in order for photosynthesis to occur.

Source: sites.saschina.org

Exergonic: An example of an exergonic reaction is cellular respiration. This process is exergonic because it produces energy and releases it in the form of ATP. The diagram below illustrates how cellular respirations results in the production of ATP/energy.

Source: Pearson Prentice Hall 

3D Game Lab - Essential Knowledge 1.A.2 - Moth Simulation

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22. Explain how the color of the moths increases or decreases their chances of survival.

Moths that are able to blend in with their surroundings are the ones who have the best chance of survival since it is harder for a predator to spot them. Dark moths will thrive in dark forests while light moths will do well in light forests.

23. Explain the concept of "natural selection" using your moths as an example.

Natural selection is how a species adapts to changes in its environment by having only the most beneficial traits be passed on. In the case of the pepper moths, when in a dark forest, the population of dark moths increased since dark moths were able to mate and produce offspring before being eaten, while light moths were quickly spotted and eaten by predators. After multiple generations, it is likely that the majority of moths will be black instead of white due to how the environment has impacted natural selection of the moths color.

24. What would happen if there were no predators in the forest? Would the colors of the moths change over time? Defend your answer?

If there were no predators in the forests it is likely that both black and white moths would be prominent throughout either forests. It is unlikely that the colors would change over time since both black and white moths will be able to reproduce with no predators hunting and killing off the most easily spotted moths.

3D Game Lab - Essential Knowledge 1.A.2

Using any of the examples cited above in the quest, explain and justify how an evolutionary change in a population is related to a change in the environment. What role do humans play in this change? What is the impact in the future of this change?

As the climate on Earth changed to one that was more suitable for humans, humans strayed from the nomad life and began to settle down. However, they faced challenges from predators such as wolves. Humans then began to employ the method of artificial selection to domestic wolves. Humans picked the tamest of all of the wolves and allowed those to reproduced. One the other hand, wolves remained under the care of humans because this meant being fed regularly and always having a food source. Over the years, as only the tamest wolves were allowed to produced offspring, the offspring inherited genes that were considered favorable by humans, such as looking cute, being loyal, and being tame. Over thousands of years, with this artificial selection wild wolves were bred into being what today we know as dogs.