Julio Pina
Group partners:
February 23, 2015
Lab Report: Termite pen preference: Paper Mate vs Sharpie
Initial Observations: In the beginning of Lab 1, we were handed papers to draw a series of lines or shapes using a Paper Mate ballpoint pen or a Sharpie marker. Then, we were asked to place termites on top of the papers and observe their behavior. Our initial observations were that termites tend to move toward areas where Paper Mate ballpoint pen lines and shapes are more concentrated and move away from areas were Sharpie marker lines and shapes are more concentrated. Furthermore, the termites tend to spend more time following the lines and shapes made from Paper Mate ballpoint pen.
Raised Question: Will the termites stay more around pen?
Hypothesis:
Due to the previous observations of termite behavior, the termites will have a preference for the odor of chemicals from the pen. The duration of time the termites spend around the area of concentrated pen marks will be much more extended than the time spent on markings made with Sharpie.
Null Hypothesis: The termites will have no preference between Paper Mate ballpoint pen and Sharpie marker.
Prediction: If we subject the termite to Paper Mate ball point pen and Sharpie marker, in treatments A and B, respectively, then the time spent by the termite in treatment A will be larger than in treatment B.
Experimental Design:
Species Used: Termites
Table 1: Variables used in the experiment

Independent
The writing utensils (Paper Mate Pen, Sharpie Marker)
The chemicals within the utensils.

Dependent
The amount of time spent in each level of treatment

Standardized
The time limit 120 sec, area of square 2X1, vertical square, placed the square on the center of the paper, two separate white pieces of paper, stop the time once the termite will cross a 1 cm perimeter border around the rectangle, the smell of square refreshed every time before placing the termite and the color of the utensils(black ink)

Table 2: Components of procedure

Level of Treatment

2

Replication

3

Sample size

20 termites per treatment

Species

Termites
Control
None

In this experiment, we are testing the hypothesis that termites will prefer the ink of the Paper Mate ball point pen over the ink of the sharpie marker. The experiment consists of two levels of treatments; the Paper Mate ballpoint pen area and the Sharpie marker area. As a class, we used a sample size of 20 termites (5 termites per group). The independent variables in this experiment are the Paper Mate ballpoint pen and the Sharpie marker. The variable we are measuring, the dependent variable, is the amount of time the termite spent on each treatment. In this experiment, we standardized the species used (termites), the overall time of observation (120 seconds), area of the square 2”x1”, vertical square, placed the square on the center of the paper, two separate white pieces of paper, stop the time once the termite will cross a 1 cm dotted perimeter border around the rectangle, the smell of square refreshed every time before placing the termite. in with Sharpie) and the color of the utensils(black ink)
Specific Methods:
Step 1: Draw a rectangle on one piece of paper using a ruler with one of the utensils; either the Paper Mate or the Sharpie marker. Color the entire rectangle until all areas are covered. Both utensils must be used, each on a separate piece of paper.
Step 2: Draw a rectangular slightly dotted perimeter ½ cm outside of each rectangle using the same ruler. Make sure the perimeter being made for the rectangle in pen is made by pen and the one for the Sharpie is made with a sharpie.
Step 3: Draw the grids in each circle with the respectie writing utensil. 14 vertical lines and 14 horizontal lines.
Step 4: Get the 10 termites from the instructor as well as the container for used termites.
Step 5: Place 1 termite in the middle of the two circles. Using 2 stopwatches and 1 timer, 1 stopwatch records the amount