10 Investigation of the response of maggots in a choice chamber
Investigation into the effect of an environmental variable on the movement of an
animal using either a choice chamber or a maze.
When maggots are in an environment they consider to be unfavourable they react and these
reactions differ in terms of speed and direction of movement. They move in order to find a
more favourable environment that increases their chances of survival. The purposeful
movement of the maggots in a specific direction is kinesis. When the maggots move away
from the unfavourable environment this is taxis as it is directional.
The aim of this experiment is to use a choice chamber to investigate the movement of
woodlice in favourable and unfavourable environments.
Alternate hypothesis: There is statistical difference in preference and the maggots are
expected to show positive photokinetic and negative hydrokinetic responses.
Null hypothesis: There is no statistical difference in preference of environments and so the
maggots are equally distributed and any difference is due to chance.
Apparatus
● Choice chamber
● maggots
● Water
● Dark Paper/cardboard
● Paper towels
● Spoon
● forceps
Safety
Hazard Risk Safety precaution
biohazard Contamination from live Wash hands after handling
specimen
Experiment
First set up a choice chamber with 4 sections in a container. Use damp filter paper to create
a damp and light environment, then one light and dry then use coloured cardboard on a
damp and dark area and finally dark and dry. Then use a spoon to put 10 maggots in the
centre of each chamber. Wait 10 minutes before observing any change. Count the amount of
maggots in each chamber. Create a table and record how many maggots are in which
condition.
Investigation into the effect of an environmental variable on the movement of an
animal using either a choice chamber or a maze.
When maggots are in an environment they consider to be unfavourable they react and these
reactions differ in terms of speed and direction of movement. They move in order to find a
more favourable environment that increases their chances of survival. The purposeful
movement of the maggots in a specific direction is kinesis. When the maggots move away
from the unfavourable environment this is taxis as it is directional.
The aim of this experiment is to use a choice chamber to investigate the movement of
woodlice in favourable and unfavourable environments.
Alternate hypothesis: There is statistical difference in preference and the maggots are
expected to show positive photokinetic and negative hydrokinetic responses.
Null hypothesis: There is no statistical difference in preference of environments and so the
maggots are equally distributed and any difference is due to chance.
Apparatus
● Choice chamber
● maggots
● Water
● Dark Paper/cardboard
● Paper towels
● Spoon
● forceps
Safety
Hazard Risk Safety precaution
biohazard Contamination from live Wash hands after handling
specimen
Experiment
First set up a choice chamber with 4 sections in a container. Use damp filter paper to create
a damp and light environment, then one light and dry then use coloured cardboard on a
damp and dark area and finally dark and dry. Then use a spoon to put 10 maggots in the
centre of each chamber. Wait 10 minutes before observing any change. Count the amount of
maggots in each chamber. Create a table and record how many maggots are in which
condition.
