User:Caroline Vill/Notebook/Biology 210 at AU

1.27.15 Good first entry. The picture didn't upload correctly but we will work on uploading pictures in lab. SK

Lab 1: Biological Life at AU 26 January 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this lab is to observe the evolution of a member of the green algae group, the Volvocine Line, and understand how natural selection leads to evolution. Also, to observe a specialized niche on the AU campus and characterized the various inhabitants within that ecosystem. It is hypothesized that evolution does not always move towards increased complexity, and that more biotic factors will be identified in the transect then abiotic factors. If there are more biotic factors than abiotic factors in the transect, then more biotic components will be observed.

Materials and Methods: Procedure I: A microscope was obtained and the first alga to be observed was Chlamydomonas, then Gonium was observed, followed by Volvox. The number of cells, colony size, specialization, mechanisms of motility, reproduction methods, and a picture was recorded for each species. Procedure II: 5-20x20 meter transects were placed around the AU campus and marked with Popsicle sticks. Groups of 3 were picked at random and assigned to a transect. An aerial view of the plot was drawn and all the abiotic and biotic in the areas were listed. A sterile 50 mL conical tube was used to take a soil/vegetation sample that is a true representation of the transect. Once back in the lab, a Hay Infusion Culture was made. 10-12 grams of the soil sample were placed in a plastic jar with 500 mLs of Deerpark water. Then 0.1 grams of dried milk were added and the culture was mixed gently for 10 seconds. Finally, the lid was removed and the jar was placed in the lab and allowed to sit for a week.

Data and Observations: Characteristics of the Transect: Transect 5 located on the main quad right outside of Hurst. It was a trapezoid shape, half covered in grass and the rest was soil. The abiotic factors in this area were concrete, a plastic fork, snow (water), and soil. The biotic factors were dead leaves, sticks, grass, rose bushes, and other unidentifiable bushes. Aerial View of Transect 5: File:/Users/carolinevill/Desktop/Aerial View.jpg

Conclusions and Future Directions: The hypothesis was supported in the fact that there were more biotic factors than abiotic factors in the transect. While the count indicated 5 biotic factors, there are microscopic organisms, like protists and algae, which are unaccounted for. The Hay Infusion Culture will reveal the protists and algae the following week. Factors that might influence the transect is the huge tree located right next to the plot. This would explain all the dead leaves in the area. Also, transect 5 is located in the main quad next to a sidewalk and is in a very high-traffic area. This would explain the plastic fork, as well as the lack of vegetation. Other than grass and aesthetic bushes, there were no other plants and weeds are not able to grow because the area is well maintained. In the future, I would like to examine an area located in a secluded area on campus to note the differences between the factors in each plot.

-CV

19 January 2015 I think I've figured out how to use this site...I hope this works! *Caroline Vill 20:11, 19 January 2015 (EST):