User:Ji Won Shin/Notebook/Biology 210 at AU

February 09,2014 Identifying and Understanding of Algae and Protist through a Dichotomous Key

(1)Introduction:

(2)Purpose: to understand how to use a dichotomous key, using it to identify algae and protists found in individual Hay Infusion, noting their individual characteristics. Making of Hay Infusion culture serial dilutions and smearing of agar plates with and without tetracycline to use for next lab, learning serial dilution method and agar plate smearing.

(3)Materials and Methods:

- observation of Hay Infusion culture made in last lab. Characteristics such as smell and appearence noted. 3 samples from different layers (Top (mold area),Middle (Near Plant),Bottom(near the dirt))taken to oberve organisms inside. Drop of each sample placed on a slide and observed in a microscope. 2 different organisms observed and recorded, totaling in 6 samples, 2 from each sample.

- serial dilution of Hay Infusion culture conducted for next lab. 4 tubes with clean 10 mL broth each are labled: 2,4,6,8. 100 µL from swirled Hay Infusion culture added to tube labled 2. 100 µL then taken from swirled tube 2 and transferred to tube 4. Process repeated until tube 8.

- 100 µL from each tube placed aseptically on surface of nutrient agar that corresponds to tube label. Same for nutrient agar with tetracycline.

Figure 1:

(4)Observations and Data:

Hay Infusion Culture: Overall, the culture is yellow/brown in color, with a sour smell.

Figure 2:

The top layer of the Infusion has mold on top, with some plant leaves floating in between. Overall color from top is brown, riddled with some green plants.

Figure 3:

Middle layer clear compared to top and bottom layer. Roots of plant can be seen.

Figure 4:

Bottom layer lined with dirt and decomposed deaf leaf, mostly solid matters with high density.

Figure 5:

Sample #1:

Colpidium sp(protist):

- clear
- slow, jerkey movement
- 7µm x 10 = 70µm

Gonium(algae):

- green
- immobile
- 3µm x 10 = 30µm

Sample #2:

Blepharisma sp(protist):

- yellowish
- fast
- oval
- cillia
- 5µm x 10 = 50µm

Colpidium sp(protist):

- white/clear
- oval/circular
- motile, jerkey

Sample #3:

Gonium(algae):

- green
- colony
- round
- 15µm x 2.5 = 12.5µm

Colpidium sp(protist):

- clear
- fast
- circular
- 6.5µm x 65µm

(5)Conclusion:

JS 2/6/14, lab 1 notes

Great job!!! Make sure you sign each entry at the bottom of each entry. Good work.

AP

January 31,2014: Understanding Natural Selection and Observing Abiotic and Biotic Characteristics of a Niche

(1)Introduction:observation of green algae of volvocine line and observation of niche and its biotic/abiotic factors I hypothesize that the Volvox would be the most advanced out of the three green algae that are to be observed.

(2)Purpose:to understand natural selection by looking at three green algae (Chlamydomonas, Gonium, Volvox) of the volvocine line in order to observe the selective functions that organisms have developed and to determine the biotic and abiotic characteristic of a niche in American University, forming a hay infusion at the end in order to determine organisms that exist in niche.

(3)Materials and Methods: - observation of three types green algae, Chlamydomonas, Gonium, Volvox of the volvocine line. Each placed upon slide and observed through a microscope. Number of cells observed, Colony Size, Functional Specialization of Cell, and Reproductive Specilization (whether the cell is isogamy or oogamy) of the cell were recorded.

- journey outside in different groups to observe specific niche in American University. Topography, biotic/abiotic features of niche, Location, and specific informations about niche were observed and recorded. Samples of the niche were collected to use for hay infusion for next lab.

(4)Observations and Data:

Chlamydomonas:

- 1 observed cell with colony size of 25.
- single celled
- egg-shaped cells that are easily visible
- cup shaped chloroplast with pyrenoid
- flagella for motility
- Isogamy

Gonium:

- 5 observed cell with coloy size of 4
- colonies normally range from 4,8,16,32 cells, each able to form a new colony
- Oogamy

Volvox:

- 3 cells observed with 2.5 colony size
- thousands of cells that make up colony
- has gametes
- has anterior/posterior pole of cell
- Oogamy	                                  

Niche #4:

Description:located in area across from Katzen Art Center, across Massachusetts Ave NW. Area constructed as drainage in case of snow and rain. Because of the purpose that it was built for, niche laid out with rocks and pebbles. Types of vegetation that can live with excess amounts of water and that have great absorptivity such as cat tails. Mud and sand rather than dry dirt because of reasons mentioned before. Some grass at edge of transect. Humans and squirrels near transect.

Abiotic Factors:

- air, wind
- dirt, sand, mud
- sunlight
- rocks,pebbles
- sidewalk
- moisture,water

Biotic Factors:

- plants (grass, cat tails), dead leaves
- humans
- squirrels
- fungi (on rock)
- bugs, worms

Image of Niche #4:https://drive.google.com/a/student.american.edu/file/d/0BzQOqxfdJTX9SC1iVGhIRDlPcTA/edit?usp=sharing

(5)Conclusions: Orignial purpose was fulfiled and hypothesis was proven correct. Colony size decreased from Chlamydomonas to Volvox. The data showed that natural selection chooses characteristics that would benefit the specie and that regression does not mean evolution has not occured. It all depends on what benefits the specie in total. To improve the experimental design, the lab should be divided up because for some time, people were left waiting until the others finished to continue the lab portions. Future plans would be to use the hay infusion that was made and observe the organismss such as bacterias in the infusion. The change in the hay infusion would also be recorded.

January 22, 2014- successfully added text