User:Alexi Fitch/Notebook/Biology 210 at AU

Abstract

The purpose of this lab is to observe a specific niche in the environment on American University’s campus, and to understand the abiotic and biotic characteristics of the niche. In this lab the evolutionary process of the members of the volvocine line are observed. As well as understanding evolution, the organisms that could be living in the individual niche were grown. This experiment will observe the diversity of species living within a confined area and living in different portions of the small niche itself. This is an ongoing experiment that will test the diversity of species as well as the ability of bacteria to grow, among other things.

Hypothesis: • The characteristics of a cell’s structure and reproductive capability will increase in complexity over time and demonstrate evolution. • If a specific niche is left untouched throughout a semester the species that live within it will change over time due to the changing seasons and the different types of biotic species that would live and die throughout the period of time.

Procedure

1. Observe niche and draw the area 2. Take note of abiotic and biotic characteristics of niche 3. Take samples of both biotic and abiotic features were collected. 4. The sample is then weighed and placed in a plastic jar with deerpark water 5. 0.1g of dried milk are added to the solution 6. with the jar left off, the mixture sits for a week and an entirely new niche is created within the jar.

1. Take a sample of Chlamydomonas in solution 2. Add drop to slide and add protoslo so that the organisms can be seen and do not move too quickly 3. Take note of cell numbers, colony size, functional specialization, and reproductive specialization. 4. Repeat with Gonium and Volvox

Data

Figure 1: This is a drawing of the Niche #1 on American university’s campus. Showing rocks large and small, grass and bushes. There is also a large area of cattails.

Abiotic features 1. tinfoil 2. dirt 3. rocks 4. sand 5. metal rod

Biotic Features 1. Grass 2. Cattails 3. Leaves 4. Bushes 5. Clover

Figure 2: This figure shows the differences and evolutionary changes between Chlamydomonas, Gonium and Volvox.

Conclusion

In this lab the process of evolution was observed through the characteristics of Chlamydomonas, Gonium, and Volvox. Chlamydomonas is a single celled organism that uses isogamy reproduction, Gonium is the intermediate organism that has progressed to multicellularity but mantains isogamy. Volvox is the organism that progressed the furthest forming a ball of many cells and has also evolved to oogamy reproduction—where there are different male and female organisms within the species. It is fascinating to observe the outcome of evolution. In terms of the specific niche, it would have been helpful to have actually taken photographs of the area when the project began. Photographs can still be taken, but it would be interesting to see the change over time from the very beginning. The idea of evolution was observed in this lab, and further observed in future labs. The diversity was also noted in the niche and will be noted in the niche that grows in the hay infusion culture.

Good start, clear and concise description of the lab including an introduction to the transect project. Please upload pictures when possible. SK