User:Hannah C. Goldbach/Notebook/Biology 210 at AU

February 4th, 2016

Week Four: Plants and Fungi

• Purpose:

• Materials and methods:

• Data and Observations:

• Conclusions and Future directions:

January 28th, 2016

Week Three: Microbiology

• Purpose:

• Materials and methods:

• Data and Observations:

• Conclusions and Future directions:

January 21st, 2016

Week Two: Algae and Protists

• Purpose: The purpose of this lab was to observe and record what, if any, algae and protists were present in the hay infusion made last lab period. It's predicted, given the location and features of Transect 4 as well as the physical appearance of the hay infusion, that both algae and protists will be present in the samples taken from the hay infusion.

• Materials and Methods: The hay infusion used for this lab was created using 12g of organic matter from Transect 4, 500mLs of Deerpark water, and 0.1g dried milk. The components were mixed and allowed to settle in an open jar for a week prior to this lab period. At the start of this lab period, the obvious physical characteristics were observed and recorded before wet mounts were made from three different niches in the hay infusion for microscopic observation. Observations made from these wet mounts were used in conjunction with a dichotomous key to identify what, if any, algae and protists were present in the hay infusion, and therefore also present in Transect 4.

• Data and Observations: Upon returning to our hay infusion this week, we found that the sediment had settled to the bottom of the jar, the water had turned cloudy, and a thick layer of gray scum had formed on top of the water. Other than the layer of scum, which is believed to be bacteria, there was no other apparent life. We took three samples, one from the top layer of scum, one from the water in the middle of the jar, and one from the sediment on the bottom. The top layer of scum was all bacteria, there was no other evidence of protists or algae. The sample from the bottom layer of sediment produced little to no protists or algae as well. We were able to find paramecium in the water from the middle of the jar, as well as more bacteria.

  The paramecium we were able to identify were clear in color and roughly oval shaped with visible organelles, cilia, and oral grooves. The bacteria from the top layer were so numerous that looking at the prepared slide was like watching static – a solid wall of tiny, tiny vibrating dots.                
• Conclusions and Future Directions: The paramecium we found in our hay infusion produce energy by consuming other organisms, most likely the bacteria we also found, they contain DNA and reproduce asexually, and although they are unicellular they are capable of evolution; by these criteria the paramecium can be characterized as living. Given the duck pond, it was predicted that there would be more algae and protists then there were. However, it was later brought up that the lack of protists or algae could be because the layer of bacteria on top of the water was so thick that it suffocated anything living in the water. The water our sample was taken from was stagnant, which could cause the high bacteria count.
  If the hay infusion were allowed to sit for another two months, the bacteria would probably continue to multiply until carrying capacity was reached. After that point, the bacteria population would remain fairly constant until all available resources in the hay infusion jar were consumed. The bacteria population would  then start to die off. --Hannah C. Goldbach 17:12, 3 February 2016 (EST)

January 14th, 2016

Week One: Transect Description

• Purpose: The purpose of this week's lab was to observe and record obvious physical characteristics of a given plot of land on American University's campus. These observations will then be used to make more detailed hypotheses and conclusions about the transect in relation to the rest of Campus life. American University is an urban campus, and it is expected that the effects of daily city activity will be evident in the recordings and samples taken from even a small plot of land like Transect 4 (Roper Hall Duck Pond).
• Materials and Methods: The lab group visited the transect and recorded all evident abiotic and biotic components and other significant features were noted. In addition to these lists, photographs were taken and an aerial map was drawn to further document the transect's features. Samples of soil and plant matter were also collected for creating a hay infusion.
• Data and Observations: Transect 4 is a plot of land located in the South-East corner of campus. Bordered by Roper Hall on two sides, the transect features a storm drain, a stone walkway, and a duck pond, which is covered with netting at this time of year. As a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat, the transect also provides cover for wildlife in the forms of tall grasses, seven bushes, and two trees. The transect probably receives the most sunlight in the early to mid morning, after then the sun is blocked by Roper Hall. Since the transect is located next to a dorm building, students often cross through using the stone walkway - a few pieces of garbage were also scattered here and there.

• Abiotic Features: Frame over the pond, big rocks (5), stepping stones (51), medium pond rocks (39), little rocks in and around the pond (70-100), pond water - partially ice over, duck sculptures, fake rock, storm drain, rodent traps, signage, benches (3), sprinkler, gas/water pipes, wrappers (3)

• Biotic Features: People (4), squirrels (3), hibiscus plants (4), leafless bushes (2), Dogwood tree, Oak tree, acorns, dead plants, leaves, budding bulbs, dead rat

                         

• Conclusions and Future Directions: The physical characteristics were documented and observations were recorded. Signs of daily city activity were evident, as the transect received heavy foot traffic and a fair amount of pollution. Organic matter was collected to create a hay infusion, which will lend more insight in next week's lab period.

--Hannah C. Goldbach 17:12, 3 February 2016 (EST)