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Lab 5.
'''Objectives:'''
*To understand the importance of Invertebrates.
*To learn how simple systems (including specialised cells and overall body plan) evolved into more complex systems.
'''Procedure I: Observing Acoelomates, Pseudocoelomates, and Coelomates:'''
#1. Observe the acoelomate, ''Planaria'', with the dissecting scope and a cross sectional slide of ''Planaria''.
#2. Record your results.
#3. Observe the nematodes and a cross sectional slide of their pseudocoelomate structure.
#4. Record your results.
#5. Observe the coelomate, ''Annelida.''
#6. Record your results.
#7. Describe the movements of the three types of worms and how the movement relates to their body structure.
Acoelomate – ''Planaria:''
*It moves by using a film of mucus to glide over surfaces.
*Tripoblast – lacks a body cavity, with a single-opening digestive tract.
Pseudocoelomate – Nematodes:
*It moves by a process of muscle contractions.
*Smooth, unsegmented bodies, lacks cilia.
Coelomate – ''Annelida:''
*It moves by using peristalsis – or creating ripples that pass along the body.
*Tripoblast – segmented bodies.
'''Procedure II: Analyzing the Invertebrates Collected with the Berlese Funnel:'''
#1.Break down the Berlese setupd and transfer the preservative solution to a Petri dish.
#2. Examine the contents under a dissecting microscope.
#3. Try to identify the invertebrates by using a dichotomous key.
#4. Record your results.
'''Conclusions:'''
'''Arthropod 1:'''
*2 Wings.
*2 Antennae.
*6 Legs.
*3 Body Segments.
*'''Class: Insect.'''
'''Arthropod 2:'''
*No Wings.
*2 Antennae.
*Many Legs.
*Many Body Segments.
*'''Class: Centipede.'''
'''Arthropod 3:'''
*No wings.
*2 Antennae.
*10 Legs.
*One Body Segment.
*'''Class: Crustacean.'''
'''Arthropod 4:'''
*No Wings.
*No Antennae.
*8 Legs.
*2 Body Segments.
*'''Class arachnid.'''
'''Arthropod 5:'''
*No wings.
*2 Antennae.
*Many Legs.
*Many Body Segments.
*'''Class: Millipede.'''
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Lab 4.
Lab 4.


'''Objectives:'''
'''Objectives:'''


To understand the characteristics and diversity of plants.
*To understand the characteristics and diversity of plants.
To appreciate the function and importance of fungi.
*To appreciate the function and importance of fungi.


'''Procedure I: Collecting Five Plant Samples From The Transect:'''
'''Procedure I: Collecting Five Plant Samples From The Transect:'''


1. Bring three bags and proceed to the transect.
#1. Bring three bags and proceed to the transect.
2. Obtain 500g of leaf litter sample from a site at the transect - leaf litter samples include the crumbly top layer of the soil and plan matter above the soil.
#2. Obtain 500g of leaf litter sample from a site at the transect - leaf litter samples include the crumbly top layer of the soil and plan matter above the soil.
3. Obtain five representative samples from five plants. Try to aim for the greatest diversity.
#3. Obtain five representative samples from five plants. Try to aim for the greatest diversity.
4. Record the data.
#4. Record the data.


'''Procedure II: Plant Vascularzation:'''
'''Procedure II: Plant Vascularzation:'''


1. Obtain a sample of moss, ''Mnium'', and compare the sample to the stem of the angiosperm, lily.
#1. Obtain a sample of moss, ''Mnium'', and compare the sample to the stem of the angiosperm, lily.
2. Examine the cross section slide of the lily stem. FInd the xylem and phloem layers.
#2. Examine the cross section slide of the lily stem. FInd the xylem and phloem layers.
   
   
'''Procedure III: Plant Specialization:'''  
'''Procedure III: Plant Specialization:'''  


1. Examine the leaves of the moss and try to identify specialized appendages.
#1. Examine the leaves of the moss and try to identify specialised appendages.


'''Procedure IV: Plant Reproduction:'''
'''Procedure IV: Plant Reproduction:'''


1. Examine the moss, ''Polytrichum'', and try to identify the male and female gametophytes and the sporophyte.  
#1. Examine the moss, ''Polytrichum'', and try to identify the male and female gametophytes and the sporophyte.  


'''Procedure V: Observing Fungi:'''
'''Procedure V: Observing Fungi:'''


1. Obtain a sample of the fungi, Rhizopus stolonifer, and observe under a microscope.  
#1. Obtain a sample of the fungi, Rhizopus stolonifer, and observe under a microscope.  


'''Procedure VI: Setting Up the Berlese Funnel to Collect Invertebrates:'''  
'''Procedure VI: Setting Up the Berlese Funnel to Collect Invertebrates:'''  


1. Pour 25mL of the 50:50 ethanol:water solution into the flask of or bottle.
#1. Pour 25mL of the 50:50 ethanol:water solution into the flask of or bottle.
2. Fit a piece of the screening material into the bottom of the funnel.  
#2. Fit a piece of the screening material into the bottom of the funnel.  
3. Place the funnel into the neck of the square-sided bottle.
#3. Place the funnel into the neck of the square-sided bottle.
4. Carefully put the leaf litter sample in the top of the funnel.
#4. Carefully put the leaf litter sample in the top of the funnel.
5. Place a lighted 40 watt lamp above the funnel with the bulb about 1-2 inches from the top of the leaf litter.
#5. Place a lighted 40 watt lamp above the funnel with the bulb about 1-2 inches from the top of the leaf litter.
6. Leave the lighted setup on the lab bench for one week.
#6. Leave the lighted setup on the lab bench for one week.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Lab 3.  
Lab 3.  
Line 43: Line 116:
'''Objectives:'''
'''Objectives:'''


To understand the characteristics of bacteria.
*To understand the characteristics of bacteria.
To observe antibiotic resistances.
*To observe antibiotic resistances.
To understand how DNA sequences are used to identify species.
*To understand how DNA sequences are used to identify species.


'''Procedure I: Quantifying and Observing Microorganisms:'''  
'''Procedure I: Quantifying and Observing Microorganisms:'''  


1. Make one more check on your Hay Infusion Culture and describe any changes.
#1. Make one more check on your Hay Infusion Culture and describe any changes.
2. Count the total number of colonies on a plate.
#2. Count the total number of colonies on a plate.
3. Record the data.
#3. Record the data.


'''Procedure II: Antibiotic Resistance:'''
'''Procedure II: Antibiotic Resistance:'''


1. Observe the difference between the nutrient plate vs. the nutrient + tetracycline.
#1. Observe the difference between the nutrient plate vs. the nutrient + tetracycline.
2. Record the data.
#2. Record the data.


'''Procedure III: Bacteria Cell Morphology Observations:'''
'''Procedure III: Bacteria Cell Morphology Observations:'''


1. Choose four colonies, out of the eight, that best represent bacterial growth and microorganisms.
#1. Choose four colonies, out of the eight, that best represent bacterial growth and microorganisms.
2. Try and get two colonies from the nutrient agar and two from the nutrient + tetracycline plate.
#2. Try and get two colonies from the nutrient agar and two from the nutrient + tetracycline plate.
3. Prepare a wet mount and gram stain for each colony.
#3. Prepare a wet mount and gram stain for each colony.
4. Record the data.
#4. Record the data.


'''Procedure IV: Stat PCR Preparation for DNA Sequence Identification:'''
'''Procedure IV: Stat PCR Preparation for DNA Sequence Identification:'''


1. Select one plate from the two colonies that has the best characterization.  
#1. Select one plate from the two colonies that has the best characterisation.  
2. Isolate DNA from bacteria in the colonies and use two primer sequences (27F and 519R) to amplify the 16S rRNA gene.
#2. Isolate DNA from bacteria in the colonies and use two primer sequences (27F and 519R) to amplify the 16S rRNA gene.
3. Transfer a single colony of bacteria to 100ul of water in a sterile tube.
#3. Transfer a single colony of bacteria to 100ul of water in a sterile tube.
4. Incubate at 100C for ten minutes and centrifuge.  
#4. Incubate at 100C for ten minutes and centrifuge.  
5. Use 5ul of the supernatant in the PCR reaction.
#5. Use 5ul of the supernatant in the PCR reaction.




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'''Objectives:'''
'''Objectives:'''


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


'''Procedure:'''
'''Procedure:'''


1. Obtain a dichotomous key and make a wet mount from a sample of random organisms.  
#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.  
#2. Add Protoslo to increase chances of finding an organism.  
3. Record observations.  
#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.  
#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.  
#5. After gathering the sample, create a wet mount and add Protoslo to increase chances of finding any organisms.  
6. Record observations.  
#6. Record observations.  


7. Obtain four 10ml test tubes that contain sterile broth and label them 2,4,6,8.  
#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.  
#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.  
#9. Mix the hay infusion carefully, yet enough to create an adequate mixture.  
10. Obtain a micropipette that is set to100 microlitres.  
#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.
#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.
#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.
#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.
#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.  
#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.  
#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.  
#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.  
#18. Take 100 microlitres of the the mixture in test tube 8 and place into both agar plates.  


'''Data:'''
'''Data:'''


Organisms with Dichotomous Key: Very few organisms were found and those that were we could not definitively classify.   
'''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.  
'''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 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.  
*Niche 2 in Hay Infusion: Plant and soil matter located in the middle/top.  




Line 201: Line 274:
'''Objectives:'''  
'''Objectives:'''  


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


'''Procedure 1: The Volvicine Line.'''
'''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.
#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.  
#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.
#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.'''
'''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.
#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.
#2. Describe the general characteristics of the transect: Location, Topography, etc.
3. List the abiotic and biotic components of the transect.  
#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.
#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.'''  
'''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.
#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.
#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.
#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.  
#4. Label the jar so the group can find it.  


'''Data:'''
'''Data:'''
Line 228: Line 301:
'''Five Biotic Observations:'''
'''Five Biotic Observations:'''


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


'''Five Abiotic Observations:'''
'''Five Abiotic Observations:'''


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


'''Hay Infusion Observations:'''  
'''Hay Infusion Observations:'''  

Revision as of 22:56, 7 March 2014

Lab 5.

Objectives:

  • To understand the importance of Invertebrates.
  • To learn how simple systems (including specialised cells and overall body plan) evolved into more complex systems.

Procedure I: Observing Acoelomates, Pseudocoelomates, and Coelomates:

  1. 1. Observe the acoelomate, Planaria, with the dissecting scope and a cross sectional slide of Planaria.
  2. 2. Record your results.
  3. 3. Observe the nematodes and a cross sectional slide of their pseudocoelomate structure.
  4. 4. Record your results.
  5. 5. Observe the coelomate, Annelida.
  6. 6. Record your results.
  7. 7. Describe the movements of the three types of worms and how the movement relates to their body structure.

Acoelomate – Planaria:

  • It moves by using a film of mucus to glide over surfaces.
  • Tripoblast – lacks a body cavity, with a single-opening digestive tract.

Pseudocoelomate – Nematodes:

  • It moves by a process of muscle contractions.
  • Smooth, unsegmented bodies, lacks cilia.

Coelomate – Annelida:

  • It moves by using peristalsis – or creating ripples that pass along the body.
  • Tripoblast – segmented bodies.

Procedure II: Analyzing the Invertebrates Collected with the Berlese Funnel:

  1. 1.Break down the Berlese setupd and transfer the preservative solution to a Petri dish.
  2. 2. Examine the contents under a dissecting microscope.
  3. 3. Try to identify the invertebrates by using a dichotomous key.
  4. 4. Record your results.

Conclusions:

Arthropod 1:

  • 2 Wings.
  • 2 Antennae.
  • 6 Legs.
  • 3 Body Segments.
  • Class: Insect.

Arthropod 2:

  • No Wings.
  • 2 Antennae.
  • Many Legs.
  • Many Body Segments.
  • Class: Centipede.

Arthropod 3:

  • No wings.
  • 2 Antennae.
  • 10 Legs.
  • One Body Segment.
  • Class: Crustacean.

Arthropod 4:

  • No Wings.
  • No Antennae.
  • 8 Legs.
  • 2 Body Segments.
  • Class arachnid.

Arthropod 5:

  • No wings.
  • 2 Antennae.
  • Many Legs.
  • Many Body Segments.
  • Class: Millipede.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Lab 4.

Objectives:

  • To understand the characteristics and diversity of plants.
  • To appreciate the function and importance of fungi.

Procedure I: Collecting Five Plant Samples From The Transect:

  1. 1. Bring three bags and proceed to the transect.
  2. 2. Obtain 500g of leaf litter sample from a site at the transect - leaf litter samples include the crumbly top layer of the soil and plan matter above the soil.
  3. 3. Obtain five representative samples from five plants. Try to aim for the greatest diversity.
  4. 4. Record the data.

Procedure II: Plant Vascularzation:

  1. 1. Obtain a sample of moss, Mnium, and compare the sample to the stem of the angiosperm, lily.
  2. 2. Examine the cross section slide of the lily stem. FInd the xylem and phloem layers.

Procedure III: Plant Specialization:

  1. 1. Examine the leaves of the moss and try to identify specialised appendages.

Procedure IV: Plant Reproduction:

  1. 1. Examine the moss, Polytrichum, and try to identify the male and female gametophytes and the sporophyte.

Procedure V: Observing Fungi:

  1. 1. Obtain a sample of the fungi, Rhizopus stolonifer, and observe under a microscope.

Procedure VI: Setting Up the Berlese Funnel to Collect Invertebrates:

  1. 1. Pour 25mL of the 50:50 ethanol:water solution into the flask of or bottle.
  2. 2. Fit a piece of the screening material into the bottom of the funnel.
  3. 3. Place the funnel into the neck of the square-sided bottle.
  4. 4. Carefully put the leaf litter sample in the top of the funnel.
  5. 5. Place a lighted 40 watt lamp above the funnel with the bulb about 1-2 inches from the top of the leaf litter.
  6. 6. Leave the lighted setup on the lab bench for one week.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Lab 3.

Objectives:

  • To understand the characteristics of bacteria.
  • To observe antibiotic resistances.
  • To understand how DNA sequences are used to identify species.

Procedure I: Quantifying and Observing Microorganisms:

  1. 1. Make one more check on your Hay Infusion Culture and describe any changes.
  2. 2. Count the total number of colonies on a plate.
  3. 3. Record the data.

Procedure II: Antibiotic Resistance:

  1. 1. Observe the difference between the nutrient plate vs. the nutrient + tetracycline.
  2. 2. Record the data.

Procedure III: Bacteria Cell Morphology Observations:

  1. 1. Choose four colonies, out of the eight, that best represent bacterial growth and microorganisms.
  2. 2. Try and get two colonies from the nutrient agar and two from the nutrient + tetracycline plate.
  3. 3. Prepare a wet mount and gram stain for each colony.
  4. 4. Record the data.

Procedure IV: Stat PCR Preparation for DNA Sequence Identification:

  1. 1. Select one plate from the two colonies that has the best characterisation.
  2. 2. Isolate DNA from bacteria in the colonies and use two primer sequences (27F and 519R) to amplify the 16S rRNA gene.
  3. 3. Transfer a single colony of bacteria to 100ul of water in a sterile tube.
  4. 4. Incubate at 100C for ten minutes and centrifuge.
  5. 5. Use 5ul of the supernatant in the PCR reaction.


Data:

Hay Infusion - Lots of evaporation occurred. Plant matter sunk to the bottom of the jar and the water has turned to mirky/amberish colour.

Colony Nutrient with/without Tetracycline Colony Description Cell Description Gram Positive or Negative
2 Nutrient Mainly small sizes clumped together to form a spread out form. Variation in colour from dull orange to white/grey. Small rod and circular cells, motile. Some Bacilli arrangement. One clear Staphyloccocus. NEGATIVE
4 Nutrient Blocks of colours mainly white in colour that form longer, but lesser farms. Size ranges from small to large colonies. Small "black" circular cells, slow moving, difficult to make definitive conclusions on arrangement of cells. NEGATIVE
T3 Nutrient + Tetracycline Bright orange colonies, mainly medium sized cells, some fungi growth present. Small "black" circular cells, slow moving, difficult to make definitive conclusions on arrangement of cells. POSITIVE
Dilution Agar Colonies Counted Conversion Factor Colonies/mL
10-3 Nutrient 300 x10^3 300000
10-5 Nutrient 50 x10^5 5000000
10-7 Nutrient 6 x10^7 60000000
10-9 Nutrient 1 x10^9 1000000000
10-3 Nutrient + Tet 90 x10^3 90000
10-5 Nutrient + Tet 0 x10^5 0
10-7 Nutrient + Tet 0 x10^7 0

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Lab 2.

Objectives:

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

Procedure:

  1. 1. Obtain a dichotomous key and make a wet mount from a sample of random organisms.
  2. 2. Add Protoslo to increase chances of finding an organism.
  3. 3. Record observations.
  1. 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.
  2. 5. After gathering the sample, create a wet mount and add Protoslo to increase chances of finding any organisms.
  3. 6. Record observations.
  1. 7. Obtain four 10ml test tubes that contain sterile broth and label them 2,4,6,8.
  2. 8. Obtain eight agar plates - four nutrient agar plates and four agar + tetracycline plates.
  3. 9. Mix the hay infusion carefully, yet enough to create an adequate mixture.
  4. 10. Obtain a micropipette that is set to100 microlitres.
  5. 11. Take 100 microlitres of the mixed hay infusion and place into the 10ml test tube labelled 2.
  6. 12. Take 100 microlitres of the the mixture in test tube 2 and place into test tube 4.
  7. 13. Take 100 microlitres of the the mixture in test tube 4 and place into test tube 6.
  8. 14. Take 100 microlitres of the the mixture in test tube 6 and place into test tube 8.
  9. 15. Take 100 microlitres of the the mixture in test tube 2 and place into both agar plates.
  10. 16. Take 100 microlitres of the the mixture in test tube 4 and place into both agar plates.
  11. 17. Take 100 microlitres of the the mixture in test tube 6 and place into both agar plates.
  12. 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.



Lab 1.

Objectives:

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

Procedure 1: The Volvicine Line.

  1. 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. 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. 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. 1. Set the 20x20 feet dimensions of the transect (either 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5) with four popsicle sticks.
  2. 2. Describe the general characteristics of the transect: Location, Topography, etc.
  3. 3. List the abiotic and biotic components of the transect.
  4. 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. 1. Weigh 10 to 12 grams of the soil/ground sample and place in the plastic jar with 500ml of deerpark water.
  2. 2. Add 0.1 grams of dried mil and gently mix it for about 10 seconds.
  3. 3. Take the top off and place the jar in a safe place in the lab.
  4. 4. Label the jar so the group can find it.

Data:

Five Biotic Observations:

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

Five Abiotic Observations:

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

Hay Infusion Observations:

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

Very good start. Don't rewrite protocol try to put into own words. Could include some more detail. SK