User:Sophia C Zbesko/Notebook/Biology 210 at AU
Biological Life at AU: Lab 1 on January 15, 2015
Purpose: The purpose of this lab, was to analyze and observe a specific transect (an ecosystem) at American University, as well as view evolution through natural selection. A sample from the assigned transect, with biotic and abiotic components, will be obtained and used to examine over the next several weeks of the semester. The sample will be used to investigate the interactions between the different components and analyze all the organisms that lived in that specific niche.
Materials and Methods: First, the TA formed groups of three students who she allocated to each transect. Once assigned, my group went to our transect to observe and analyze it, as well as take a sample with a 50mL conical tube. The tube contained 50% of the soil from the transect itself and the other 50% consisted of several different types of leaves. The contents of the tube were then used to be a Hay Infusion Culture. The Hay Infusion was created by blending 10 grams of the sample, 500mLs of the deer park water, and 0.1mg of dried milk. This mixture was covered with a lid and mixed for 10 seconds and then was then left in the back of the lab without a lid.
Data and Observation: The assigned 20 by 20 meter transect, labeled as 1, was located on the North side of campus on the side of Kogod that faces the Katzen building. The biotic components were cat tail bushes, weeds, grass, fern, and mass. The abiotic, nonliving, components were rocks, soil, a storm drain, salt, and litter.
A topograhical aerial map of the transect.
A panorama picture of the 20 by 20 transect.
Conclusions and Future Directions: Both the biotic and abiotic components in the transect are important for the niche and affect the organisms that live in it. Closely viewing the niche will allow us to identify and study the various species that live in our specific niche. It will also provide evidence of whether or not the storm drain, litter, and salt have any effect on the living organisms. The Hay Infusion Culture that was created will be observed in next week's lab and different species will be observed under the microscope. The Hay Infusion will show how an ecosystem, or transect, has various species, as well as provide further information on how to understand how evolution changes life over time.
First Entry: Testing to make sure this works. *Sophia C Zbesko 20:48, 25 January 2015 (EST):SZ
