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For this lab, the transect sample was observed on final time and the changes from last week’s lab were noted, and a hypothesis was made as to why the changes occur. Then, the agar plates that used the serial dilutions, both with and without tetracycline were inspected for the number of colonies, as well as the characteristics of the cells in the colonies, including their morphology and method of motility. Gram stains were prepared in order to determine whether or not the bacteria were gram positive or gram negative, and a PCR sample was take in order to determine a specific culture’s 16s rRNA gene. | For this lab, the transect sample was observed on final time and the changes from last week’s lab were noted, and a hypothesis was made as to why the changes occur. Then, the agar plates that used the serial dilutions, both with and without tetracycline were inspected for the number of colonies, as well as the characteristics of the cells in the colonies, including their morphology and method of motility. Gram stains were prepared in order to determine whether or not the bacteria were gram positive or gram negative, and a PCR sample was take in order to determine a specific culture’s 16s rRNA gene. | ||
'''Materials and Methods''' | |||
The eight serial dilution results on the agar plates, with four of them contain tetracycline, are observed. The concentration of the dilution decreases from 10-3 to 10-9. Next, the number of colonies per mL is calculated using the conversation factors; 103 for the first dilution, 105 for the second, etc. Wet mounts are made using four separate colonies, with two coming from the non-tetracycline plates and two coming from the agar treated with tet. Observe each sample and take note of the shape of the bacteria, the type of motility they use (cilia or flagella), and note any other outstanding observations. The gram stain process involves a sample from one of the chosen colonies. The prepared slide is washed liberally with crystal violet, Gram’s iodine mordant, 95% alcohol, and safranin stain, with flooding of water between each of these staining processes. The slides are then observed under a microscope in order to determine whether the culture is gram positive or gram negative. | |||
Revision as of 20:52, 3 February 2016
Identifying Bacteria and Microbiology
Purpose
For this lab, the transect sample was observed on final time and the changes from last week’s lab were noted, and a hypothesis was made as to why the changes occur. Then, the agar plates that used the serial dilutions, both with and without tetracycline were inspected for the number of colonies, as well as the characteristics of the cells in the colonies, including their morphology and method of motility. Gram stains were prepared in order to determine whether or not the bacteria were gram positive or gram negative, and a PCR sample was take in order to determine a specific culture’s 16s rRNA gene.
Materials and Methods
The eight serial dilution results on the agar plates, with four of them contain tetracycline, are observed. The concentration of the dilution decreases from 10-3 to 10-9. Next, the number of colonies per mL is calculated using the conversation factors; 103 for the first dilution, 105 for the second, etc. Wet mounts are made using four separate colonies, with two coming from the non-tetracycline plates and two coming from the agar treated with tet. Observe each sample and take note of the shape of the bacteria, the type of motility they use (cilia or flagella), and note any other outstanding observations. The gram stain process involves a sample from one of the chosen colonies. The prepared slide is washed liberally with crystal violet, Gram’s iodine mordant, 95% alcohol, and safranin stain, with flooding of water between each of these staining processes. The slides are then observed under a microscope in order to determine whether the culture is gram positive or gram negative.
Hay Infusion Observation and Serial Dilutions 1/21/16
Purpose
The Hay Infusions that were made the previous week from the transect materials was observed to identify a possible niches that exist within the jar. Samples were also seen through a microscope in an attempt to identify many of the organisms alive in the various parts of the Infusion.
Materials and Methods
Several slides were made using samples from the top, middle, and bottom portions of the Hay Infusion via a pipette. The various organisms, both protists and algae, where observed and noted using a Dichotomous Key as a reference point.
Data and Observations
From the samples taken from the Hay Infusion, only the middle and bottom niches showed any significant forms of life. The top niche was covered in a viscous, mold like layer, though no significant biotic activity was present. In the middle niche, there were many protists, including paranema. Others were more difficult to identify, though some disguising features of these other protists include prominent oral fissures and differing movement patterns, dependent on their quantity of cilia or the presence of a flagella. For algae, though it was difficult in determining the exact species with using the Key, one notable observation was the appearance of some Rhodophyta.
Conclusions and Discussions An interesting outcome from observing the Hay Infusion was that the top, surface portion was covered in a moldy covering with plenty of organic material that could potentially be used as food. One possibility is that this thick layer created a sort of semi-aerobic environment, shielding the niches below from possible disruptive debris or airflow, while providing a constant source of nutrients from the material stuck at the top. If the Infusion was left out for one to two months, something that may happen would be an initial explosion of species that were present when the Infusion was made, then a gradual decline in overall populations due to the finite resources available in the jar. That said, what may be observed would be a significant density in a few populations.
- Allen D. Irving 21:14, 27 January 2016 (EST):
Examining Biological Life at AU
The transect that was observed is positioned by Roper Hall and consists of a koi pond surrounded by stones, three benches, a slight variety of tall and short grasses, two fully developed trees, one sapling, and three large shrubs. The entire area is mostly man-made, with flat stones arranged for a walking path and the vegetation has been purposefully planted in specific spots. Some organic life was present at the time of the observations, namely squirrels living in one of the larger trees.
File:Scanned Terasect Image.pdf
- Allen Irving: 1/20/16
