User:Kari Anna Byrnes/Notebook/Biology 210 at AU
January 28, 2015 - KB Lab #2 Identifying Algae and Protists
The purpose of this lab was to learn to differentiate the different types of protists and algae. We learned to identify the protists with the dichotomous key. The key classified unicellular organisms based on their size shape, movement, and color. I hypothesize that each of our hay infusion cultures from each transect will contain different organisms. To test this, we will take samples from our culture and identify the types of protists under the microscope.
I grabbed our hay infusion culture that was prepared last class. The culture contained microorganisms in each part of it. There were different organisms with different niches in each part of the culture. Since our jar consisted of different parts, we pipetted samples from the top and bottom. From the samples, we created wet mounts used for the microscope. We then identified and recorded three organisms from each part of the culture (top and bottom) using the dichotomous key.
When we observed our hay infusion culture which sat out for a week, it was clear that there were different ecosystems within the jar. The culture smelled moldy, stale, and pond-like. There was a dark green moldy, floating substance on the top. The middle section was greenish, yet transparent. There was a green mold that had settled on the bottom of the jar. Although we could not see anything moving with our naked eyes, we assumed there were living protists in the water and moldy substances.
The wet mount of the top was examined. Using the dichotomous key, we identified paramecium bursarla, which was motile and about 120 micrometers large. Next we found didinium, a stationary, unicellular protist around 80 micrometers. Lastly we found a motile green algae called pandorina that was 30 micrometers big. On the bottom sampled wet mount, we found paramecium aurelia, a motile, colorless 140 micrometer protist. Actinospharium, a green, 70 micrometer protist was also found. Finally, paramecium bursarla was also found on the bottom, yet it was smaller (80 micrometer) and still motile. All these organisms are living because they each require energy, are organized and complex, reproduce (asexually), and can grow.
The conclusions of this experiment clearly followed the purpose of the lab. We found a variety of protists and algae in our hay infusion cultures. The types of protists from the top and bottom wet mounts were different, suggesting that each ecosystem inside our jar required different types of protists. If this culture grew for another two months, we would most likely see most organisms due to meiosis and mitosis or we could see less organisms due to less resources the species need to survive.
January 25, 2015 - KB
Lab #1 Biological life at AU
The purpose of this lab was to observe an ecosystem. I was also required to collect a sample from the environment in that ecosystem. By observing a specific ecosystem, I am able to see the organisms and their niches in the community.
In this experiment, my partners and I were assigned a 20 m x 20 m transect (an ecosystem) called number 3: Tall bushes. We were required to draw a picture of our observations about the ecosystem. We found abiotic and biotic components of the section and labelled their location and identity. After perfecting our sketches and findings, we obtained a sterile 50 mL conical tube in which we placed a sample of soil/ ground vegetation from our transect. We returned to the classroom to perform a Hay Infusion Culture. We first took 10 g of our sample and placed it into a plastic jar filled with 500 mL of deerpark water. Next we added 0.1 g of dried milk, attached the lid of the plastic jar, and mixed the contents. Finally, the jar was labelled with our group name and placed on a table without the lid.
Our transect looked as followed:
My transect was labelled It is located in the center of campus, south of the amphitheater and east of the gymnasium. The section we are observing is flat. It is centered in an arboretum. It is an flat hourglass section, surrounded by sidewalks on all sides.
The components in transect 3 were: Abiotic Components: sidewalk, lamp post, snow Biotic Components: short shrubs, trees (deciduous), leaves, soil
This lab will lead me to find out more about my transect. The Hay Infusion Culture will display the types of organisms (protists) that make up transect 3. From there, we will be able to use a dichotomous key to find out the species and their niches in the community
