User:Claire E. Lunde/Notebook/Biology 210 at AU

01.29.28
 Analyzing Specimen Found in Hay Infusion Culture

In lab two, the Hay Infusion Culture that was grown in lab one was examined and multiple algae and protists were identified. There looked to be more specimen growing on the top of the ecosystem, therefor I predicted that there would be a more diverse finding of algae and protists found in the top of the ecosystem. The purpose of this experiment was to determine different organisms by characterizing their appearance, motile abilities, functions, and whether they are photosynthesizing, or non-photosynthesizing.

There were many materials used to observe the algae and protist found in the ecosystem. The samples were extracted from the Hay Infusion Culture using a pipette and then placed on a slide. The samples were viewed using a compound microscope under the 40x objective. To identify the organisms found in the sample from the Hay Infusion Culture, a dichotomous key titled “Ward’s Free-Living Protozoa” was used in reference. This key showed characteristics, names, functions and pictures of the algae and protist found, making the identification process easier.

There were two organisms identified from samples taken from the top of the Hay Infusion Culture. There were many different plant lives growing on the top. The first organism identified was an elongated, greenish figure with one flagella. This fit all of the characteristics and image of the Eugiena from the dichotomous key. The second organism identified from the top of the culture was a small, oval shaped body with many flagella. According to the description on the key, this organism is called Colpidium SP. There were three organism identified in sample taken from the bottom of the Hay Infusion Culture. The first one was a small, green, oval body with a single flagella known by the name Chlamydomanas. The second organism that was identified was a creeping, white organism known by the name Arcella. The last one identified in the sample taken from the top was also found in the bottom. The organism that was found in both niches in the ecosystem was Colpidium.

The ecosystem being contained in the jar had an earthly smell with a green/brown layer growing on the top. There was a substantial amount of water gone from the original amount measured when the culture was created. The ecosystem resembled a swamp. 
 The purpose of observing this ecosystem was to identify the vast differences within small niches in a large ecosystem. By observing different protists and algae using a dichotomous key, many different organisms in the ecosystem were identified. This provided evidence that niches within an ecosystem can be vastly different. 



CL

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01/26/15 Creating the Hay Infusion Culture



Purpose and background 

My group member and I are analyzing a transect on AU’s campus. My partner and I were assigned to transect number two, the Certified Wildlife Habitat. We have taken time to observe the ecosystem, listing the abiotic and biotic objects. We also collected samples from the transect with interest in identifying the protist, bacteria, plants, invertebrates and animals in the transect. 



There were many materials used in lab one. The sample collected from the transect was held in a covered tube. This sample was then transferred into a Hay Infusion Culture. This culture included: 11.8 grams of soil/ground vegetation sample collected from the assigned transect, 500 mLs of deer park water, 0.1 gm of dried milk. These ingredients were contained in a medium sized jar, with an open lid. The Culture was left for a week before being observed. 



The assigned transect was a very open space, with only four trees. There were few bushes, but many small plants. The ground was completely frozen, making the sample difficult to collect. 

Through observing a transect, many bacteria, plants, and animas can be identified. This will help determine characteristics of each, and the environment that suits them the most.

CL