User:Zachary Thorogood/Notebook/Biology 210 at AU

Lab 2.

Objectives:

To understand how to use a dichotomous key. To understand the characteristics of Algae and Protists.

Procedure:

1. Obtain a dichotomous key and make a wet mount from a sample of random organisms. 2. Add Protoslo to increase chances of finding an organism. 3. Record observations.

4. Using the hay infusion, that was created from the previous lab, take random samples from varying points to see which organisms inhabit the hay infusion. 5. After gathering the sample, create a wet mount and add Protoslo to increase chances of finding any organisms. 6. Record observations.

7. Obtain four 10ml test tubes that contain sterile broth and label them 2,4,6,8. 8. Obtain eight agar plates - four nutrient agar plates and four agar + tetracycline plates. 9. Mix the hay infusion carefully, yet enough to create an adequate mixture. 10. Obtain a micropipette that is set to100 microlitres. 11. Take 100 microlitres of the mixed hay infusion and place into the 10ml test tube labelled 2. 12. Take 100 microlitres of the the mixture in test tube 2 and place into test tube 4. 13. Take 100 microlitres of the the mixture in test tube 4 and place into test tube 6. 14. Take 100 microlitres of the the mixture in test tube 6 and place into test tube 8. 15. Take 100 microlitres of the the mixture in test tube 2 and place into both agar plates. 16. Take 100 microlitres of the the mixture in test tube 4 and place into both agar plates. 17. Take 100 microlitres of the the mixture in test tube 6 and place into both agar plates. 18. Take 100 microlitres of the the mixture in test tube 8 and place into both agar plates.

Data:

Organisms with Dichotomous Key: Very few organisms were found and those that were we could not definitively classify.

Hay Infusion Observations: Water is amber brown with plant and soil matter primarily located at the bottom of the infusion.

Niche 1 in Hay Infusion: Plant and soil matter located at the bottom. Niche 2 in Hay Infusion: Plant and soil matter located in the middle/top.

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Lab 1.

Objectives:

To understand natural selection. To understand the biotic and abiotic characteristics of a niche.

Procedure 1: The Volvicine Line. 1. Prepare a slide of living Chlamydomonas and examine it microscopically, adding protoslo will slow motile creatures down and make them easier to observe. 2. Observe the living culture of Gonium on a slide. It is a progressively more complex species consisting of a colony of 4, 8, 16, or 32 cells. They are held together in a gelatinous matrix and each cell can form a new colony. 3. Observe the living culture of Volvox on a slide. It represents the peak of evolutionary complexity in this line of green algae consisting of thousands of spiked cells making up a spherical Volvox colony.

Procedure 2: Defining a Niche at AU.

1. Set the 20x20 feet dimensions of the transect (either 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5) with four popsicle sticks. 2. Describe the general characteristics of the transect: Location, Topography, etc. 3. List the abiotic and biotic components of the transect. 4. Use the sterile 50ml conical tube to take a soil and ground vegetation sample. Make it is representative of the ground and what is on the surface of the ground.

Procedure 3: Make a Hay Infusion Culture.

1. Weigh 10 to 12 grams of the soil/ground sample and place in the plastic jar with 500ml of deerpark water. 2. Add 0.1 grams of dried mil and gently mix it for about 10 seconds. 3. Take the top off and place the jar in a safe place in the lab. 4. Label the jar so the group can find it.

Data:

Five Biotic Observations:

1. Two Squirrels. 2. A Bird. 3. Shrub/Trees. 4. Ground Cover Plants. 5. Tall Grass.

Five Abiotic Observations:

1. Two Metal Light Poles. 2. Loose Garbage. 3. Sidewalk. 4. Mulch. 5. Soil.

Hay Infusion Observations:

Mirky dark water with transect components mixed all around. Mass of the overall hay infusion is 11.03 grams.