User:Joshua Terao/Notebook/Biology 210 at AU

I've finally figured it out.

January 26, 2015: Lab 1: Biological Life at AU
In this lab the main objectives were to 1, understand how natural selection drives the evolution of different species and 2, to make careful observations about the characteristics of a niche.
The Purpose of this Lab was to familiarize ourselves with microorganisms and our transects. This would help our understanding of Evolution by observing the surrounding environment. We also gathered materials for the follow-up lab a week from now.
Methods and Materials: In the first procedure we examined microorganisms with our microscopes. We observed three organisms ranging from smallest to largest called:
• Chlamydomas
• Gonium
• Volvox
These organisms are in the Volvocine Line.
The Procedure for dealing with our transect was:
• Observe the 20 by 20 meter transect
• Know the number of the transect
• Use a sterile 50 ml conical tube for soil and vegetation
The Procedure for the Hay Infusion Culture:
• Place 10 to 12 grams of the soil/ground water into the jar
• Add 0.1 grams of dried milk
• Mix for 10 seconds
• Remove lid and place on the table
• Label jar well
Data and Observations:
[1] [2] [3]
Abiotic Factors:
• Lampost
• Sidewalk
• Snow/water
• Soil
• Rocks
• Sprinkler
Biotic Factors:
• Tall bushes
• Leaves
• Plants
• Trees
• Short bushes
• Woodchips
Conclusions and future predictions:
I believe that the abiotic factors and biotic factors of our transect might change in the coming weeks.
I think that the hay infusion jar will have many microorganism we can observe through the microscope.

January 27, 2015 Lab 2: Identifying Algae and Protists
Main Objectives:
1. To practice using dichotomous key to identify species of micro organisms
2. To understand the characteristics of Algae and Protists
3. To examine Algae and Protists from your transect.
The purpose of this lab helped us to learn how to identify the different species of microorganisms using the dichotomous key. We also learn the three main kingdoms of microorganisms. We used our on hay infusion mixture in which we used our microscope skills to identify. We then practiced introduce the microorganisms to the eight culture plates.
Methods and Materials:
Procedure 1:
We used about six different microscopes to examine six different types of microorganisms. Then the next step was to follow the steps of the dichotomous key to identify the species that was presented. This was used as practice to learn how the dichotomous key worked and how to follow the questions to identify the specific species.
Procedure 2:
We first were to find our jar of hay infusion and bring it to our table. Then each lab partner drew a small sample of water from the top, middle, and bottom of the jar. We then were to identify two species using the dichotomous key from our samples.
Procedure 3: Preparing and plating Serial Dilutions
1. We were to label 4 tubes of 10 mLs of sterile broth with 10^-2, 10^-4, 10^-6, and 10^-8.
2. Then obtain a micropippetor set at 100 microliters and tips.
3. Obtain 4 nutrient agar and 4 nutrient agar plus tetracycline plates, and label all accordingly.
4. Swirl the jar, then add 100ul from the culture to the 10^-2 tube.
5. Add 100ul from the 10^-2 to the 10^-4 tube, repeat for the next two tubes.
6. Pipette 100ul from the 10^-2 tube and add to 10^-3 plate, repeat for next three tubes.
7. Repeat procedure for the agar plates plus “tet”
8. Store at room temperature for next class
Data and Observations:
In procedure 1 I found out how to work with the dichotomous key, and use it to identify different species in real-time. In procedure 2we worked with our own hay infusion jar from last class. The smell of the contents within the jar was horrible; it smelt like a really bad fart. It also looked really gross with a lot of brown colors. When we withdrew the samples from the water we noticed that there was a difference in the species that lived near the plant material versus the open water. The microorganisms we identified were the Colpidium, Actinosphaerium, Chlamydomas, and Eudorina. I predict that if the culture grew for another two months that new species and the amount of species will rise significantly.
Conclusions and Futrue Predictions:
I believe that for our hay infusion culture, there will be an increase in the total number of species within the culture.
For the agar plates I believe that the plates with “tet” added will likely see the most growth with the bacteria and the plate that contains the lowest ratio of culture to broth will grow the most bacteria, plate 10^-3.