A: LITERATURE SEARCH AND
REVIEW TO PRODUCE AN
INVESTIGATIVE PROJECT
PROPOSAL
Ajmal Shekeb Noormal
, Unit 6
Scenario
In this unit, I will carry out an investigative project that I have chosen in collaboration
with my teacher. I will choose a topic area that interests me and this will form the
basis of my investigative project. I will carry out a scientific literature search and
review, considering the project’s aims and objectives, then produce a realistic plan
and carry out the project safely using my scientific investigation skills, project
management skills and what I have learnt from the other units. Finally, I will prepare
an evaluative report that will consider the project outcomes and suggest
amendments that may have improved those outcomes. To complete the assessment
task for within this unit, I will need to draw on my learning from across my
programme. Completing an investigative project is an excellent way for me to
develop an understanding of the science-related workplace. The skills developed in
this unit will be of considerable benefit for progression to higher education in a
variety of science and science-related courses and to employment in the science or
applied science sector.
Literature Review
I've decided to look at the aspects that influence a daphnia's heart rate. After
conducting research on the various elements, I will select one that is ideal for
conducting an experiment on, as I may have limited resources to test and examine
for my project.
Daphnia, popularly known as the water flea, is a genus of microscopic planktonic
crustaceans that range in size from 0.2 to 6.0 mm (0.01–0.24 in). Daphnia belong to
the Anomopoda order and are one of several small aquatic crustaceans known as
water fleas due to their saltatory (Wiktionary) swimming manner, which mimics that
of fleas. Daphnia spp. can be found in a variety of aquatic habitats, from acidic
swamps to freshwater lakes and ponds.
I picked daphnia for this experiment because it is translucent and the organs can be
seen without dissection, allowing for live investigation. Daphnia's heart rate is also
sensitive and governed by nerves, therefore the results may be acquired easily and
rapidly. These allow for the monitoring of heart rate and other internal functions.
D. Pulex (small and most common) and D. magna (big and most frequent) are the two
most common Daphnia species (large). They're frequently confused with another
Cladocera genus, Moina, which belongs to the Moinidae family rather than the
Delphinidae and is much smaller than D. Pulex (roughly half the maximum length).
Daphnia live for ten to thirty days on average, but can live for up to a hundred days in
1