In this simulation you will investigate how genes interact with environmental factors and affect the health of sand rats. Look at the sand rats in the field on the left hand side.
Use the magnifying glass to:
- Examine their genetic composition.
- Identify which sand rats are at risk for diabetes.
- Identify the sand-rats' gender.
Generate a question you would like to investigate and plan an investigation to answer your question. To perform your planned experiment:
- Use the hand to pick up sand-rats and place them into the pens for your experiment.
- Provide sugary or regular food to the sand rats in each pen.
- Click the Play button to run the simulation.
As you play the simulation, four types of data will be collected and each can be shown separately in the graph:
- The weight of the sand rats (thin, heavy, obese)
- Number of diabetic sand rats (diabetic rats, healthy rats)
- Number of sand rats at risk of diabetes (risk, no risk)
- Number of sand rats with diabetes over time
Use the pull-down menu in the graph to change the data displayed. Use the Stop button at any point to examine what happens to the sand rats after changing the type of food provided.
This simulation is part of the Health in Our Hands collection.