User:Faith Bruton/Notebook/Biology 210 at AU

1/29/15--Identifying Algae and Protists

Purpose: The purpose of this lab was to learn how to use a Dichotomous Key, to observe the Hay Infusion cultures from last week, and to prepare a series of serial dilutions to examine next week. I hypothesize that there will be more photosynthesizing organisms living at the top of the jar than at the bottom.

Materials and Methods: Liquid from both the top of the Hay Infusion Culture as well as from the bottom was used to create two wet mounts. They were labeled top and bottom respectively. The slides were examined under a microscope for living organisms. Once a living organism was found a Dichotomous Key was used to identify the organisms. The contents of the jar were mixed and serial dilutions were prepared by micropippeting 10mLs of the contents with sterile broth. Ten mLs of the sterile broth was taken and mixed in another tube of sterile broth. This process was repeated two more times. Ten mL of each tube was placed onto an agar plate and an antibacterial agar plate.

Data and Observations: The contents of our jar appeared to be brown. There was some particulate floating on the top, however, there was more particulate at the bottom of the jar. The bottom of the jar appeared sandy. From the bottom of the jar a Peranema, a Protea, Paramecium bursaria, and an Amoeba proteus were identified. The Peranema was motile and about 20µm. Peranema are not photosynthesizing. The protea was about 57 µm and was not motile. The Paramecium bursaria was about 50 µm. The paramecium is a ciliate and does not preform photosynthesis. The amoeba proteus was about 1,200 µm, did not appear motile, and is not photosynthesizing. From the top only one organism was found, the Spirostomum. The Spirostomum was 2 mm, is a cilliate, but did not appear to be moving, and does not preform photosynthesis.

Conclusions: I had thought there would be more photosynthesizing organisms living at the top of the jar, however, we did not find any photosynthesizing organisms at all. This could be because it was winter and most of the things that might normally be drawn to light are dead. Because we found so many more forms of life from the slide from the bottom, the data supports the fact that there are more life forms growing further away from a light source. It was very difficult to find life in our slides, especially in the slide from the top. This could mean the hay infusion was incorrectly or our sample just did not have many forms of life in it. If our Hay Infusion grew for another two months I would predict that the living organisms in it would grow and multiply. This could create selecctive pressures on the the organisms living towards the bottom because there might not be enough room.

FB

1/21/15--Niches at AU

Purpose:The purpose of this lab is to examine the diversity on AU's campus. Biotic and abiotic features will be looked at in a certain area of campus. A Hay Infusion will also be preformed. My group was given transect 3. I hypothesize that because it is winter very little will actually be growing and there will be no noticeable signs of living creatures on our transect.

Materials and Methods: First transect 3 was examined for biotic and abiotic elements. A map was drawn of the transect. A 50mL tube was used to collect dirt and vegetation from the transect. The sample was taken into the lab. Ten grams of the sample was measured put into a labeled plastic jar. Then 500mL of bottled water and .1 gm of dried milk was added to the jar. The lid was placed on the jar and the contents were mixed. The jar was left to sit with the lid off.

Data and Observations:Transect 3 is located in the garden near Bender arena. Most of the vegetation appeared dead. The biotic features of the transect are leaves, bushes, grasses, trees, and other plant life. The abiotic features of the transect are cigarette butts and trash, a lamp post, side walks, ice/snow, and soil.

Conclusions: The data supports my hypothesis because nothing in the transect appeared to be alive and well. All of the plants looked frosted over and there were no visible signs of life or creatures. I believe that as the weather warms up and spring hits our transect will have lots of growing vegetation and life forms such as squirrels and insects.

FB

1/21/15

Hello Open WetWare world.

FB