Problem
statement
Describe the problem in one sentence, as a question.
Try to find five different ways to describe the problem and choose the one that suggests solutions.
Homeostasis
Under this topic, list potential causes that relate to the materials or information being used. Think about:
- What quality and quantity of materials or information are needed
- How you measure this quality and quantity
- How you detect unacceptable quality or quantity
- The effects of unacceptable quality or quantity
pH Balance
Fish blood contains substances that keep the pH stable, helping enzymes work properly and supporting breathing.
Osmoregulation
Fish maintain salt and water balance through specialized gill cells.
Temperature Regulation
Fish adapt to water temperature by adjusting metabolic rates
Molecular Genetics
Under this topic, list all the potential causes of the problem that relate to manpower. Think about:
- What skill levels are required
- How skill levels are measured and checked
- What effort or time are needed and how this is provided
- What communications are needed
- What kind of mistakes could be made
- What assumptions people might be making
- What shortcuts might be used that affect the outcome
- How mistakes are detected and handled
- How work is checked and approved
Genetic Adaptations
DNA in fish contains genes that allow adaptations to specific environments (e.g., Arctic fish produce antifreeze proteins)
Inheritance
Fish DNA is passed down to offspring, influencing traits like size, color, and survival rates.
Evolution
Mutations in DNA drive fish evolution, enabling species to thrive in different ecosystems.
Testosterone in Teenage Boys
Under this topic, list potential causes of the problem that relate to its environment. Think about:
- What range of conditions must be accommodated?
- How does the problem change under different conditions and circumstances?
- Which factors could be affected by changing conditions?
Secondary Sexual Characteristics
Influences muscle growth, deepening of the voice, and development of body hair during puberty.
Hormone Production
Testosterone is made in the testes and controlled by signals from the brain."
Behavioral Impact
Affects mood, aggression, and risk-taking behavior, common during adolescence.
Biochemistry
Under this topic, list potential causes that relate to measurement and record-keeping. Think about:
- What measurements are taken
- When measurements are taken
- How measurements are taken
- How accurate the measurements are
- How reliable they are
- What the measurements help you to do and how they are used
- The potential effects of poor measurement or no measurement
Oxygen Transport
Fish hemoglobin helps carry oxygen so they can breathe, even in water with little oxygen.
Lipids and Membranes
Fish cell membranes are made of fats that help keep their shape and control water movement in aquatic environments
Role of Proteins
Fish produce enzymes to break down food into nutrients for energy
Metabolic Processes
Under this topic, list potential causes of the problem that relate to the method or process. Think about:
- Whether the method is suitable
- Accuracy and completeness of descriptions
- Handover to and from other processes
- What records are kept
- How errors or exceptions are handled
Energy Use
Fish store energy in glycogen, which is metabolized during activities like swimming or migration.
Waste Removal
Ammonia, a byproduct of protein metabolism, is excreted through gills.
Cellular Respiration
Fish cells use oxygen to generate ATP through cellular respiration, enabling movement and survival.
Population Dynamics (Muskoka, Ontario)
Under this topic, list all the potential causes of the problem that relate to machinery, equipment or tools. Think about:
- Failures
- Performance
- Reliability
- Repeatability
- Usability
- Suitability for purpose
- Known defects or issues
- Previous repairs or maintenance
Predator-Prey Relationships
Overfishing and invasive species (like zebra mussels) disrupt food chains in Muskoka lakes
Habitat Challenges
Pollution, shoreline development, and climate change reduce available habitats for fish
Fish Species in Muskoka
Common species include lake trout, smallmouth bass, and walleye
