Scientific Investigation Lab Report: Isometric and Allometric Growth
Scientific Investigation: Designing an Experiment
Jeremy Barrett
BIO-101-C02
February 4, 2015
Introduction
Different parts of the body of an organism have been observed to grow at different rates during development. When parts of the body grow disproportionately to one-another, we call it allometric growth. The term, isometric growth, is used when describing body parts which maintain the same ratio throughout development.
The purpose of this experiment is to determine whether two chosen body parts of classmates, arm and head, have grown isometrically or allometrically to height by comparing the ratios calculated from our measurements to the ratios of newborn body parts calculated from the measurements provided in the chart on page 66 of our lab book.
We predict that the head diameter of classmates will display an allometric growth rate to height, and the arm length of classmates will display an isometric growth rate to height.
Materials and Methods
String was used to measure head diameter and arm length, then acquired measurements in cm by comparing the length of the string to a yard stick.
Calculators were used for calculations.
Results
Table 1 consists of measurements of heights and head diameters of 4 groups of 5 students from the class. The measurements are averages. It also consists of an average for newborns from the table on page 66.
Table 1 – Height to Head Diameter Ratio for Students and Newborns
Subject
Height (cm)
Body Part Size (cm)
Height/Body Part Ratio
Team 1
176
56
3.1
Team 2
169.5
59.75
2.8
Team 3
166
56
3
Team 4
171.1
56.7
3
Newborns
48
33
1.5
Table 2 consists of measurements of heights and arm lengths of 4 groups of 5 students from the class. The measurements are averages. It also consists of an average for newborns from the table on page 66.
Table 2 – Height to Arm Length Ratio for Students and Newborns
Subject
Height(cm)
Body Part Size (cm)
Height/Body Part Ratio
Team 1
176
72
2.4
Team 2
169.5
67
2.5
Team 3
166
74.6
2.2
Team 4
Jeremy Barrett
BIO-101-C02
February 4, 2015
Introduction
Different parts of the body of an organism have been observed to grow at different rates during development. When parts of the body grow disproportionately to one-another, we call it allometric growth. The term, isometric growth, is used when describing body parts which maintain the same ratio throughout development.
The purpose of this experiment is to determine whether two chosen body parts of classmates, arm and head, have grown isometrically or allometrically to height by comparing the ratios calculated from our measurements to the ratios of newborn body parts calculated from the measurements provided in the chart on page 66 of our lab book.
We predict that the head diameter of classmates will display an allometric growth rate to height, and the arm length of classmates will display an isometric growth rate to height.
Materials and Methods
String was used to measure head diameter and arm length, then acquired measurements in cm by comparing the length of the string to a yard stick.
Calculators were used for calculations.
Results
Table 1 consists of measurements of heights and head diameters of 4 groups of 5 students from the class. The measurements are averages. It also consists of an average for newborns from the table on page 66.
Table 1 – Height to Head Diameter Ratio for Students and Newborns
Subject
Height (cm)
Body Part Size (cm)
Height/Body Part Ratio
Team 1
176
56
3.1
Team 2
169.5
59.75
2.8
Team 3
166
56
3
Team 4
171.1
56.7
3
Newborns
48
33
1.5
Table 2 consists of measurements of heights and arm lengths of 4 groups of 5 students from the class. The measurements are averages. It also consists of an average for newborns from the table on page 66.
Table 2 – Height to Arm Length Ratio for Students and Newborns
Subject
Height(cm)
Body Part Size (cm)
Height/Body Part Ratio
Team 1
176
72
2.4
Team 2
169.5
67
2.5
Team 3
166
74.6
2.2
Team 4