User:Emily Westin/Notebook/Biology 210 at AU

1/13/15 Purpose: Today we observed transect 4. The transect was flat, dry soil with various plants and a small duck pond. We recorded and observed both biotic and abiotic components of the transect. We also collected a sample of plants and water from the transect, as well as took photos of the area. Materials and Methods: We observed and took pictures of Transect 4, located on the far east side of campus. We observed both biotic and abiotic components. We then collected samples of soil, water and plants in a Ziploc bag. We then added our samples to a jar of distilled water to prepare for our hay infusion culture for next week's lab. Data and Observations: Biotic Components: 1. Grass 2. Microorganisms in the duck pond 3. Insects under rocks 4. Trees 5. Flower bushes

Abiotic components: 1. Rocks 2. Benches 3. Drain 4. Statue 5. Pond lights Conclusions: It can be concluded from that lab that American University's campus has both biotic and abiotic components.

-E.W.

1/20/16 Dichotomous Key Purpose: Today we observed a hay infusion culture and used a dichotomous key to identify the organisms within each slide. We did this to determine different organisms living in our transect, as well as observe components such as algal growth. Materials and Methods: We made wet mounts of samples from our hay infusion culture from last week. We observed these wet mounts under the 10x, then under the 40x objectives. We recorded what we saw and used a dichotomous key to identify different organisms. Data and Observations: The culture had a very unpleasant smell. It was mostly clear liquid with thick, slimy brown chunks settled near the top of the jar and on the bottom of the jar. There was brown/green algae present. Using the dichotomous key, we determined that Euglena was present in the culture. The organism that we observed looked like small, spiky twigs. It measured to be 12.5 micrometers. The organisms observed were non-motile, photosynthetic organisms. Conclusions: We can conclude that if the culture was allowed to grow for another 2 months without interruption, it would most likely produce a foul odor and continue to support algae growth. We also concluded that there is a wide variety of species living in our transect.

-E.W.

1/29/16 Purpose: Today we observed the results from the agar plates set up from the previous week. The plates were set up from 10^-2, 10^-4, 10^-6, 10^-8, each getting 100 μL of the previous broth added to it. The agar plates used for these broths were labeled 10^-3, 10^-5, 10^-7, and 10^-9. The control agar plates were labeled 10^3, 10^5, 10^7, 10^9. Materials and Methods: We took samples from the most populous plates and studied them under a microscope. We collected colonies from the plates using a metal loop that was heated in order to be sterilized. We picked up the colony with the sterilized loop, placed it on a wet mount slide and heated it to adhere it to the slide. We then used the gram stain procedure to stain the bacteria in order to make it easier to observe under the microscope. We then observed and recorded what we saw. Data and Observations: The plates with only nutrient, 10^3 had 150+ colonies, 10^5 had 28 colonies, and 10^7 and 10^9 both had 0 colonies. For the nutrient and tet plates, 10^-3 had 150+ colonies, 10^-5 had 54 colonies, 10^-7 had 3 colonies, and 10^-9 had 0 colonies. The samples used for the gram stain slides were 10^3, 10^5, 10^-3, and 10^-5. The bacteria with the gram stain under the microscope looked rod-shaped. The gram was positive. 10^5 were enlarged rod-shaped, and were gram negative. 10^-3 were blue with black dots and cocci shaped, and were gram positive. 10^-5 were vibrio-shaped, and gram negative. Conclusions: It can be concluded from this lab that plates with lower dilutions exhibited higher bacterial growth.

-E.W.

2/9/15 Plantae and Fungi Purpose: Today we collected leaf litter as well as 5 different types of plants from Transect 4. Materials and Methods: We collected leaf litter from Transect 4 and set it up in a Berlese Funnel in order to collect invertebrates. We also collected 5 different types of plants and observed cross-sections of them under a microscope.We then observed each of the plants under the microscope and identified whether or not vascularization was present. Data and Observations: Plant Descriptions: 1. Obtained from Transect 4. Oval-shaped, large, thick green leaves 2. Obtained from Transect 4. Smaller, thicker leaves than plant #1. Light green on the bottom, waxy, darker green on the top of the leaf. 3. Obtained from Transect 4. Long, thin leaves, rounded on top. 4. Obtained from Transect 4. Large, oval-shaped, red leaves with pointed tops. 5. Obtained from Transect 4. 3-Pointed tops, green, speckled large leaves. Conclusions: From this lab, we can conclude that there is a wide variety of plant and foliage species located in Transect 4, and on American University's campus.

-E.W.