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diff --git a/src/research2.i b/src/research2.i index 144a4b4..7afcadb 100644 --- a/src/research2.i +++ b/src/research2.i @@ -1,42 +1,42 @@ -To design the experiment and understand the organisms' underlying +To design the experiment and understand the underlying behaviors that might affect it, extensive background research was required---specifically on the spatial distribution patterns of antlions. First, a previous study analyzing the spatial patterning and structure of termite mounds in an African savanna was examined to better understand the procedure of the experiment. This study examined how different termite colonies in the African savanna positioned themselves -in relation to one another and uncovered that termite mounds maintain +concerning one another and uncovered that termite mounds maintain relatively constant distance from one another, creating uniform hexagons of termite mounds through the savannah. Furthermore, this study uncovered that termite mounds must maintain a constant distance from each other to prevent conflict between termite colonies, limiting the -species' success. These results helped guide and shape the study that -was conducted by providing insight into the possible intraspecies -competition that could result from close antlion contact, leading to the -prediction that antlions would have to space themselves in order to +species' success. These results helped guide and shape the study +by providing insight into the possible intraspecies competition that +could result from close antlion contact, leading to +the prediction that antlions would have to space themselves to prevent competition for food. Lastly, this study determined that a change in available space could affect the spatial patterns of termites as well as their behavior, which was later used in designing the conducted experiment. Next, several studies regarding the anatomy and behavior of antlions -were used in order to better understand the insects. These studies -determined that antlions stay in their larva form, in which they make +were examined to better understand the insects. These studies +determined that antlions stay in their larva form, during which they make pits, for 6-8 weeks and develop slower when exposed to less food. This helped determine the timeline of the experiment and determine the -intervals at which the antlions would be fed, as in order to keep +intervals at which the antlions would be fed, as to keep results consistent the antlions would have to be the same throughout the course of the experiment, which would require the participating antlions -to be fed less in order to stay in their larva stage to make pits. +to be fed less to stay in their larva stage to make pits. Furthermore, these studies examined terms such as pit depth and width as well as the feeding patterns and behaviors of antlions, which became -crucial areas of study throughout the experiment, as these studies +crucial areas of study throughout the experiment, as this determined that pit depth and width can signify the dominance and success of antlion settlement. This helped determine dependent variables to examine over the course of the study. Finally, these studies -determined that antlions have a tendency to cannibalize each other in +claimed that antlions tend to cannibalize each other in times of food shortage and significant competition. This provided -another dependent variable to track over time and examine as size +another dependent variable to track over time and examine as the size decreased, as cannibalized antlions were unsuccessfully metabolized and evident in pits. @@ -53,16 +53,16 @@ results and spatial patterns, helping further perfect and standardize the procedure, as well as provide a better understanding of antlions behavior patterns. These studies provided a better understanding of antlion settlement patterns and gave a guideline for what to expect as -trials continued. Finally, these studies provided scientific procedures +trials continued. These studies also provided scientific procedures that could be tested and confirmed throughout the experiment, allowing -for a source to cross-check results and procedures in order to perfect +for a source to cross-check results and procedures to perfect the procedure of the experiment. -Finally, in order to effectively conduct a follow up examination of the -nations spatial patterns and distributions the previous years research +Finally, to effectively conduct a follow-up examination of the +nations spatial patterns and distributions the previous year's research and results was thoroughly examined. This examination helped provide information on the most effective procedure, materials, and dependent -variables to measure, as the previous years notes were used to improve +variables to measure, as the previous year's notes were used to improve upon the preexisting examination process. Along with this the examination of the previous years teachers clearly illustrated that the rate of cannibalism and the average pit depth and width were correlated @@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ with the size of the enclosure of the antlions, as the rate of cannibalism increased as the enclosure decreased in size while the pit depth and width decreased as the enclosure decreased in size. This distinction helped illustrate the natural patterns of the organisms and -allowed for the clear development of a follow up experiment, as the +allowed for the clear development of a follow-up experiment, as the examination of the initial trial developed a clear natural pattern that could be examined through the introduction of other various environmental stimuli. Based on this analysis, the emergent property of @@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ communication, as prior research revealed that insect larvae lack secretion glands for communication and proper vocal anatomy. The lack of a mode of communication but the presence of a clear spatial pattern lead to the development of the question of how the organisms were able to -arrange themselves in such an intricate pattern, and prompted the follow -up study to examine how the organisms were able to distribute in such an -organized fashion by either identifying a mode of communication or -determining that the distribution was due to simple mathematics. +arrange themselves in such an intricate pattern and prompted the +follow-up study to examine how the organisms were able to distribute in +such an organized fashion by either identifying a mode of communication +or determining that the distribution was due to simple mathematics. |