Abstract

Baby Beluga may swim in the deep blue sea, but the song does not mention how cold it is out there! Find out in this science project how a bit of blubber can be a useful adaptation when the water is ice cold. Brrrr!

Objective

Test whether or not a layer of blubber is a helpful adaptation for cold-water environments.

Introduction

Do you ever wonder what makes each species of animal unique? Where does all of the diversity of life on this planet come from? The key to this puzzle is called evolution, which is the process by which groups of organisms change over time, from generation to generation, leading to the development of new species. The key to evolution is a process called natural selection, sometimes referred to as "survival of the fittest." Natural selection presents a challenge to all the different types in a population, allowing those who overcome the challenge and reproduce, to pass on useful traits to their descendants, which increases that population's fitness and survival.

Evolution and natural selection were first proposed by Charles Darwin. While on a long voyage on a ship named the HMS Beagle, he was able to observe and document many useful traits, called adaptations, of animals he saw. An adaptation is a trait that comes in handy when an organism has to deal with a challenge. Adaptations take many generations to appear in a population, but the results are worth it. Many of the changes that lead to an adaptation are random, but natural selection picks through and determines which adaptations will continue from generation to generation.

To experience some adaptations that have increased the fitness of an organism, act out the three behaviors below:

• Flap your arms like wings - The wings of birds are an adaptation for flight. When the bones of the wing are spread out, they create a skeleton with a large surface area for an aerodynamically shaped wing, which means it is shaped for flight. When covered with feathers, the wing produces lift and can also be used to glide. Birds also have hollow bones that keep their body weight low, large chest muscles for flapping, and a large breast plate where the chest muscles attach. As you flap your arms, you may notice that your chest muscles begin to feel tired. Umm, you can stop now...don't overdo it!
  
• Walk straight and tall - Walking upright, or being bipedal, is a special adaptation of hominids, a special group of primates that includes humans (Homo sapiens) and their close relatives (like Neanderthals or Australopithecus). Other primates, like chimpanzees and gorillas, must use their forearms when walking, and do not walk upright. This adaptation gave hominids an advantage in interacting with the environment, and might have led to the development of larger brain sizes in our hominid ancestors. Scientists believe that walking upright was an adaptive trait that allowed hominids eventually to become better hunters and gatherers, and to develop tools to use for these activities. As you walk around, notice that your arms are free to move, how quickly you can observe your environment, and how quickly and easily you can move and change direction.
  
• Fold your arms and shiver - Shivering is an adaptation shared by other mammals to stay warm when temperatures become cooler. Mammals are warm-blooded, meaning our metabolism makes up a lot of our body heat, and we do not get most of our warmth from the environment. However, the environment can still affect us. Sometimes we get chilly, so shivering produces body movements, which briefly speeds up our metabolism, warming us up. It is also a good signal to the brain to find a warmer place to go! Now go grab a blanket, silly!

Adaptations are all around you, and once you start to notice them, you just can't stop! In this science project, you will investigate an important adaptation for marine mammals, called blubber, a layer of fat beneath the skin that is used as insulation and keeps the body warm in cold temperatures. Blubber is commonly found in mammals that have adapted to life in a cold-water environment, like whales, seals, sea lions, and polar bears. Blubber is a thick layer of fat (adipose) tissue. Animals store extra digested food in the form of adipose tissue. Because adipose tissue does not transfer heat as well as other tissues and materials, it can insulate an animal's body. For example, Styrofoam is another material that does not transfer heat relatively well, while metals, for example, transfer heat very well. This is why hot drinks are often served in Styrofoam, as it keeps the heat inside the cup, preventing your hands from being burned. You will use a layer of shortening on your skin to model the adaptation of blubber. Will the extra layer of fat help you stay in the cold longer?

Terms and Concepts

• Diversity
• Evolution
• Generation
• Natural selection
• Descendant
• Adaptation
• Metabolism
• Blubber
• Adipose tissue
• Heat transfer

Questions

• What is an adaptation?
• How does blubber keep polar bears warm?
• What other marine animals use blubber as an adaptation?

Materials and Equipment

• Empty bowls (2)
• Cold water
• Warm water
• Ice cubes
• Shortening (like Crisco®)
• Paper towels
• Stopwatch
• Celsius thermometer, available from Carolina Biological, item #: 745390
• A partner

Experimental Procedure

Global Connections

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) are a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

Variations

Careers

If you like this project, you might enjoy exploring these related careers:

Related Links

• Science Fair Project Guide
• Other Ideas Like This
• Zoology Project Ideas
• My Favorites

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