Question

shooting the poop (cer)
question: why do caterpillars fling their frass?
experimental design: caterpillars were raised in individual containers where they could build shelters. one had a clean treatment where frass (caterpillar poop) was removed daily from the container. the other had a frassy treatment which allowed frass to accumulate in the container throughout development. she measured the mass of 61 caterpillars in year 1 (~30 in each treatment) and 50 caterpillars in year 2 (25 in each treatment).

1. what claim can be made from the collected data?
2. what is the independent variable?

what is the dependent variable?

1. summarize the evidence that supports the claim.

Explanation:

Step1: Identify claim from data

Caterpillars in the clean - treatment generally have a higher average mass at most ages compared to those in the frassy - treatment.

Step2: Determine independent variable

The independent variable is the presence or absence of frass accumulation (clean vs frassy treatment).

Step3: Determine dependent variable

The dependent variable is the average caterpillar mass.

Step4: Summarize evidence

In both Year 1 and Year 2, at most ages (e.g., 15, 20, 25 days and pupae stage), the average mass of caterpillars in the clean treatment is greater than that in the frassy treatment.

Answer:

1. Caterpillars in the clean - treatment generally have a higher average mass at most ages compared to those in the frassy - treatment.
2. Independent variable: Presence or absence of frass accumulation (clean vs frassy treatment).

Dependent variable: Average caterpillar mass.

1. In both Year 1 and Year 2, at most ages, the average mass of caterpillars in the clean treatment is greater than that in the frassy treatment.