User:Ji Won Shin/Notebook/Biology 210 at AU

February 09, 20144 (1)Introduction:

(2)Purpose: to understand how to use a dichotomous key, using it to identify algae and protists found in individual Hay Infusion, noting their individual characteristics. Making of Hay Infusion culture serial dilutions and smearing of agar plates with and without tetracycline to use for next lab, learning serial dilution method and agar plate smearing.

(3)Materials and Methods:

(4)Observations and Data: Hay Infusion Culture: Upon examination of Hay Infusion culture, the top layer of the Infu

(5)Conclusion:

JS 2/6/14, lab 1 notes

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AP

January 31,2014: Understanding Natural Selection and Observing Abiotic and Biotic Characteristics of a Niche

(1)Introduction:observation of green algae of volvocine line and observation of niche and its biotic/abiotic factors I hypothesize that the Volvox would be the most advanced out of the three green algae that are to be observed.

(2)Purpose:to understand natural selection by looking at three green algae (Chlamydomonas, Gonium, Volvox) of the volvocine line in order to observe the selective functions that organisms have developed and to determine the biotic and abiotic characteristic of a niche in American University, forming a hay infusion at the end in order to determine organisms that exist in niche.

(3)Materials and Methods: - observation of three types green algae, Chlamydomonas, Gonium, Volvox of the volvocine line. Each placed upon slide and observed through a microscope. Number of cells observed, Colony Size, Functional Specialization of Cell, and Reproductive Specilization (whether the cell is isogamy or oogamy) of the cell were recorded.

- journey outside in different groups to observe specific niche in American University. Topography, biotic/abiotic features of niche, Location, and specific informations about niche were observed and recorded. Samples of the niche were collected to use for hay infusion for next lab.

(4)Observations and Data:

Chlamydomonas:

- 1 observed cell with colony size of 25.
- single celled
- egg-shaped cells that are easily visible
- cup shaped chloroplast with pyrenoid
- flagella for motility
- Isogamy

Gonium:

- 5 observed cell with coloy size of 4
- colonies normally range from 4,8,16,32 cells, each able to form a new colony
- Oogamy

Volvox:

- 3 cells observed with 2.5 colony size
- thousands of cells that make up colony
- has gametes
- has anterior/posterior pole of cell
- Oogamy	                                  

Niche #4:

Description:located in area across from Katzen Art Center, across Massachusetts Ave NW. Area constructed as drainage in case of snow and rain. Because of the purpose that it was built for, niche laid out with rocks and pebbles. Types of vegetation that can live with excess amounts of water and that have great absorptivity such as cat tails. Mud and sand rather than dry dirt because of reasons mentioned before. Some grass at edge of transect. Humans and squirrels near transect.

Abiotic Factors:

- air, wind
- dirt, sand, mud
- sunlight
- rocks,pebbles
- sidewalk
- moisture,water

Biotic Factors:

- plants (grass, cat tails), dead leaves
- humans
- squirrels
- fungi (on rock)
- bugs, worms

Image of Niche #4:https://drive.google.com/a/student.american.edu/file/d/0BzQOqxfdJTX9SC1iVGhIRDlPcTA/edit?usp=sharing

(5)Conclusions: Orignial purpose was fulfiled and hypothesis was proven correct. Colony size decreased from Chlamydomonas to Volvox. The data showed that natural selection chooses characteristics that would benefit the specie and that regression does not mean evolution has not occured. It all depends on what benefits the specie in total. To improve the experimental design, the lab should be divided up because for some time, people were left waiting until the others finished to continue the lab portions. Future plans would be to use the hay infusion that was made and observe the organismss such as bacterias in the infusion. The change in the hay infusion would also be recorded.

January 22, 2014- successfully added text