Create a slide that includes the prediction, the evaluation of the prediction, and the relevance of the data to what is already known.

Question

Include an appropriate, descriptive title (something unique)
Answer the question, "Did your data support your prediction or not?"
Remember that you cannot "prove" your prediction!
Compare your results to the information that you found about Wolbachia infection in your insect Order in the peer-reviewed literature and in the local collection data (from Exercise 3).
Compare your results to the Wolbachia infection prevalence in your insect Order from the class data

My results came back inconclusive during the gel electrophoresis. My prediction did not line up with my results.

My prediction was that Wolbachia has not infected my insect

Answer 1

Title: Unpacking Uncertainty: Examining Wolbachia Infection in My Insect Sample

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Prediction

My initial hypothesis predicted that my insect sample did not exhibit Wolbachia infection.

Evaluation of Prediction

Upon conducting gel electrophoresis, my results were inconclusive. The data did not support my prediction. The ambiguity in the bands and their intensity meant that I could not definitively confirm or deny the presence of Wolbachia in my sample.

Relevance to Existing Knowledge

In reviewing the literature on Wolbachia infections within my insect order, studies indicate a varying prevalence of Wolbachia across different species, suggesting it is a common symbiont in many insects. Specifically, infestation rates can range significantly, with certain species showing high infection rates while others remain uninfected. Comparison with class data revealed a similar pattern, showing that Wolbachia is indeed present in some members of the same order, albeit with discrepancies in prevalence rates.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my inconclusive results challenge my prediction and align with a broader understanding that while Wolbachia is prevalent in my insect order, not all specimens necessarily harbor the infection. Further studies and improved methods may be necessary to clarify the infection status in my sample.