User:Nicholas M. Scurato/Notebook/Biology 210 at AU

Lab 1: Biological Life at AU (Jan 14)

Purpose: The Purpose of this lab involves two parts. The first part, where we observed three specifics organisms from the Volvocine line, was to support the theory of evolution by examining organisms with different reproductive mechanisms and form. the second part, where we split up into small groups and observed specific locations of nature called transects, was done as a requirement for other labs to come and to understand the possible organisms that would live in these areas or niches. In terms of the first part of this lab, I hypothesize that the more complex the reproductive mechanisms and form are of an organism is, the more evolved it is.

Materials/Methods: For the first part of the lab- We used microscopes and prepared slides for each of the three organisms to observe the form of the cells. The three organisms include Chlamydomonas, Gonium, Volvox. For the second part of the lab- We were put into groups of three or four people and assigned a specific location or transect about 400 sq meters in size containing both abiotic and biotic elements. My transect was number 2, called the Wildlife reserve. When in the transect, we were supposed to record and collect at least five abiotic (or non living components) and at least five biotic (or living components) that make up that particular ecosystem. When we finish collecting both abiotic and biotic components, we head back to the lab and start a Hay Infusion Culture. Hay Infusion Culture involves putting about 10 to 12 grams of the sample you collected into a jar with 500 mLs of bottled water. After that, we add roughly 0.1 grams of dried milk as a nutrient for any microbial organisms gathered in the sample and gently mix for 10 seconds.

Data and Observations For the first part of the lab- File:VolvocineNick.jpeg

For the second part of the lab- File:Nicktransect2.jpeg This is a picture of my transect. File:Drawn.jpeg This is my interpretation of my transect.

Conclusion This lab helped support my hypothesis for the first part of the lab, where we looked at three specific organisms from the Volvocine line of Chlorophyta. My hypothesis was that the organisms with the more complex reproductive mechanisms and form are more evolved. The Volvox- considered the most evolved of the three had a multicellular structure with oogamous reproductive mechanisms. In contrast, Chlamydomonas- considered the least evolved of the three is unicellular in structure with isogamous/asexual modes of reproduction. Future Directions The Hay Infusion Culture will continue to grow, and will be used as an integral part for later labs.

Transect #2 Biotic: 1. A tree 2. Moss 3. Tall bushy grass 4. Grass 5. Bush

Abiotic: 1. Rocks 2. Dirt 3. Snow 4. Bench 5. Sign

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This is Nick Scurato. I have successfully submitted to OWW.

NMS