required practical 10: investigating simple animal responses

Question 1

describe method to investigate effect of environmental variable on the movement of animals in a choice chamber

Answer 1

set up choice chamber with different environments e.g. change in humidity/light
ensure other variables are controlled
place a sample of animals in the chamber - greater than 10 -
record number of animals in each section after a given time
repeat after returning animals to centre

Question 2

why are the animals left for 15 minutes before investigation begins

Answer 2

allows variable to be set up in the choice chamber
the animals will be used to the new environment, so will act naturally

Question 3

what statistical test is used to analyse the results

Answer 3

chi squared as the data is categorical and compares frequencies