User:Amie S. Krupnick/Notebook/Biology 210 at AU

Identifying Algae and Protists January 28, 2015

Purpose The purpose of this experiment was to observe the transect sample in the hay infusion culture after one week. A week in the hay infusion culture allowed time for algae and protists to appear, reproduce and thrive. This experiment made use of a dichotomous key, which allowed accurate identification of different organisms. If a hay infusion culture is created and then observed after one week, multiple different life forms (algae and protists) will appear and be viewable under a microscope for analysis and observation.

Materials and Methods

1.27.15 Good first lab book entry. The transect diagram is a little simple. List biotic and abiotic features. SK

Biological Transect: Observing a Niche at American University January 26, 2015

Purpose The purpose of this experiment was to observe a 20x20 transect at AU for the Biology-210 lab. This experiment and the corresponding set of observations will act as the basis for future experiments, using the samples collected during this initial inspection of the transect. After taking a sample of abiotic and biotic components from the transect, the plot of land was discussed in class. This lab was purely observational and did not yield any findings. A Hay Infusion was created with the collected sample to aid in the following week's lab.

Materials and Methods In this observational experiment, each group was given a flashlight and a sterile 50 ml conical tube for sample collection representative of the transect. After being dropped off at the appropriate transect, the 20x20 plot of land was examined and drawn for reference. The transect is located in the gardens between Hughes Hall and Bender Arena and a concrete pathway running from north to south. The allotted plastic tube was filled with dirt, soil and vegetation from the transect. The transect was drawn, with directions labeled (Image 1). Upon return to the lab, a Hay Infusion Culture was made from the collected sample. 10 grams of soil and vegetation from the conical tube sample was placed in a plastic jar containing 500 ml of deer park water. 0.1 g of dried milk was added into the jar and the jar was mixed. After being labeled, the jar was set down without a lid for a week.

Data and Observations This transect is located on an uneven plot of land that contained many different forms of vegetation (see Image 1). The vegetation found was largely evenly distributed across the transect. The biotic organisms specified are: trees, leaves, bushes, vegetation and shrubs. The abiotic components specified are: snow, dirt, hay, wood chips and paper. During the making of the Hay Infusion Culture, dried milk was added as a source of food for the vegetation in the culture.

Image 1:

Conclusion The jar was set in the back of the lab without a lid for examination of protists and to "inoculate agar petri plates for studying bacteria" (Bentley et al 2015) in the following week.

Work Cited Bentley, M., Walters-Conte, K., Zeller, N. (2015). Biological Life at AU. General Biology II, 1(1), 13-17.

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