610:029:004, First-Year Seminar: Explorations in Computing, Math, and Science
Homework 9.
Due Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007

1. Based on the Paleontology Repository readings (pdf file 1 and pdf file 2)
   1. When did the repository have its beginnings? What was its purpose? In addition, what purpose/mission does it have now?
   2. There are (now) over 10,000 trilobite specimens, mostly from Jonathan Adrain's research. What time period(s) are his trilobites (mostly) from. Then go online, research geologic time lines (sugg. Google: Berkeley Geologic Timeline) and figure out how old these time periods are (hint: really old). Then search to figure out what trilobites are (e.g., Google: order of trilobites Sam Gon, or go to http://www.trilobites.info/).
   3. How many conodont specimens does the repository have in its collection? Next, go online, research, then explain what conodonts are.
2. Based on the Paleontology Repository website
   1. List the collection strengths of the Paleontology Repository.
   2. Find the link to the Fossils of Iowa, list the common fossils found in Iowa, then state your favorite and why.
3. Based on the the Museum of Natural History website
   1. What is the scientific name (genus only is fine) for the museum?s sloth? And what is his nickname?
   2. List and explain this museum's exhibits.
   3. Who was this museum named after (first and last and why was he important)?
4. Based on the Value of Natural Science Collections reading (pdf file)
   1. What is the scientific name (genus and species) for bull snakes?
   2. Who is considered the "Father of Taxonomy" and what is taxonomy?
   3. How many extinctions occur on Earth EACH day?
   4. Short essay (at least one 5-7 sentence paragraph): The local and national government is short money and wants to eliminate all funding for this museum and natural history museums like this one in Iowa City. Explain why or why not this museum and similar museum are important to society.