LAB 4 For each assignment, you will use the M.U.S.E. link to complete the lab. In this lab, you will see the time progression of impacts associated with either coal-fired or nuclear power plants for electricity generation to help you write up a scientific paper that centers on the following: · Given that the current 2 primary sources of electricity generation are coal and nuclear power plants, which of these sources is better for human sustainability? Analyze Energy Sources Lab Everything people do in their daily lives involves the consumption of resources—particularly energy. With respect to energy, electricity is one of the most important resources consumed and also one of the highest in demand. Traditionally, fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil have dominated the U.S. energy mix; however, as it is well-known, carbon-emitting energy sources are very detrimental to the environment and are contributing to global warming. Fortunately, alternative energy resources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power are becoming more efficient and prevalent in today’s energy economy. Using the M.U.S.E. link, review the background information and gather your data. Use the Lab 4 worksheet for assignment instructions and data collection. Please submit your completed assignment. For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web resources, and all course materials. Course Materials LAB 5 For each assignment, you will use the M.U.S.E. link to complete the lab. In this lab, you will determine how an invasive species—the zebra and quagga mussel—affects other species in the freshwater lake. Use the animation to help you come up with an answer to the following: · Why do you see increases and decreases in the invasive species population? · What are the implications associated with these alterations to the ecosystem as a whole? The Effects of Zebra and Quagga Mussels Introduced into a Freshwater Lake As you have learned, population dynamics are caused by the biotic potential of the population and the effects of environmental resistance. When there is minimal environmental resistance impacting a population, it will exhibit a population explosion. One reason for minimal resistance could be factors that no longer regulate a population (e.g., predator decline or resource increases). Another reason for a population explosion is the introduction of an invasive species. Invasive species are species foreign to an ecosystem and are not immediately regulated by the environmental restraints of the particular ecosystem that they invade. This in turn allows their populations to grow seemingly uncontrolled and to displace other indigenous populations. Examples of such an invasive species into North America are dreissenid mussels, commonly known as zebra and quagga mussels. Their introduction into the Great Lakes has caused economic hardship and a reorganization of the ecosystem. This has led, in part, to pollution-causing effects t ...

1. LAB 4
For each assignment, you will use the M.U.S.E. link to complete
the lab.
In this lab, you will see the time progression of impacts
associated with either coal-fired or nuclear power plants for
electricity generation to help you write up a scientific paper that
centers on the following:
· Given that the current 2 primary sources of electricity
generation are coal and nuclear power plants, which of these
sources is better for human sustainability?
Analyze Energy Sources Lab
Everything people do in their daily lives involves the
consumption of resources—particularly energy. With respect to
energy, electricity is one of the most important resources
consumed and also one of the highest in demand. Traditionally,
fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil have dominated the
U.S. energy mix; however, as it is well-known, carbon-emitting
energy sources are very detrimental to the environment and are
contributing to global warming. Fortunately, alternative energy
resources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power are
becoming more efficient and prevalent in today’s energy
economy.
Using the M.U.S.E. link, review the background information
and gather your data.
Use the Lab 4 worksheet for assignment instructions and data
collection.
Please submit your completed assignment.
For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web
resources, and all course materials.
Course Materials

2. LAB 5
For each assignment, you will use the M.U.S.E. link to complete
the lab.
In this lab, you will determine how an invasive species—the
zebra and quagga mussel—affects other species in the
freshwater lake. Use the animation to help you come up with an
answer to the following:
· Why do you see increases and decreases in the invasive
species population?
· What are the implications associated with these alterations to
the ecosystem as a whole?
The Effects of Zebra and Quagga Mussels Introduced into a
Freshwater Lake
As you have learned, population dynamics are caused by the
biotic potential of the population and the effects of
environmental resistance. When there is minimal environmental
resistance impacting a population, it will exhibit a population
explosion. One reason for minimal resistance could be factors
that no longer regulate a population (e.g., predator decline or
resource increases). Another reason for a population explosion
is the introduction of an invasive species. Invasive species are
species foreign to an ecosystem and are not immediately
regulated by the environmental restraints of the particular
ecosystem that they invade. This in turn allows their
populations to grow seemingly uncontrolled and to displace
other indigenous populations. Examples of such an invasive
species into North America are dreissenid mussels, commonly
known as zebra and quagga mussels. Their introduction into the
Great Lakes has caused economic hardship and a reorganization

3. of the ecosystem. This has led, in part, to pollution-causing
effects that can be linked to an alga known as Cladophora.
Ecosystems are webs of intricately balanced interactions, what
happens when a new species is introduced that uses a
disproportionate share of the ecosystem’s resources?
Using the M.U.S.E. link, review the background information
and animation to complete your report.
Use the Lab 5 worksheet for assignment instructions and data
collection.
Please submit your completed assignment.
For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web
resources, and all course materials.
Course Materials