User:Kira G. Flaherty/Notebook/Biology 210 at AU

Introduction
Bacteria and Protists of an AU Transect and the Volvocine Line
Due 1/26/15
Kira Flaherty
There were two parts of this experiment. The first was to study organisms within the Volvocine Line to observe evolution . These organisms were forms of green algae. The second part of the experiment was to observe and discuss the abiotic and biotic components that make up a transect acting as an ecosystem. Transect #2 was the focus of study. With the transect, we will be able to study the protists and bacteria that are within our transect through a Hay Infusion Culture process. Each transect has abiotic and biotic parts that make up the transect that is acting as an ecosystem. We can make conclusions and discuss our transect by observing the abiotic parts and the living organisms. The purpose of this experiment is to study and observe the organisms that are living in our assigned transect, and also observe evolution by looking at organisms of the Volvocine Line. (Bentley, Walters-Conte, Zeller 2015)
Methods and Materials
Part 1: Organisms of the Volvocine Line
In Part 1, 3 different green algae organisms of the Volvocine Line were observed. The organisms were the unicellular Chlamydomonas, multicellular Gonium and the most advanced Volvox. A table was created that included each organism in its own column. Each column was broken up into rows for various characteristics including number of cells, colony size, specialization of cells, motility, isogamous or oogamous and the picture of the organism. A microscope was used to study and identify these characteristics of these organisms. Slides for each organism were created by using a pipette, Protoslo, to slow the organism down, and a cover slip. The colony size of the cells were measured using the ocular micrometer within the lens of the microscope. (Bentley, Walters-Conte, Zeller 2015)
Part 2: Transect
The transect was found. An aerial view of the transect was sketched. All abiotic and biotic features of the transect were included and labeled. With a 50mL conical tube, a sample of the soil, vegetation and other things that made up the transect was retrieved. A Hay Infusion Culture was made. To make the Culture, 10-12 grams of the sample of the transect was placed in a clear jar. 500 mL of bottled water was then added to the jar. 0.1 grams of dried milk was put into the jar and the contents of the jar were mixed. The jar was placed somewhere safe (somewhere it can stay for a week without being harmed) without the lid. After a week went by, the protists and bacteria from the Hay Infusion Culture were observed. (Bentley, Walters-Conte, Zeller 2015)
Observations and Data
Figure 1: Observed Transect
This is an image of the transect. The location of the transcript was on AU's campus, right near Hughes Hall. There were several abiotic and biotic components of the transect, as listed and labeled in the image. The top of the picture is north, the right is east, the left is west and the bottom is south.
http://imageshack.com/a/img913/2632/6HN6pO.jpg
Table 1: Observing Various Organisms of the Volvocine Line to Observe Evolution
This is a table that was used to compare Chlamydomonas, Gonium and Volvox. Volvox is the most advanced. Evolution can be observed by seeing the advancements in Volvox when compared to Chlamydomonas and Gonium.
http://imageshack.com/a/img537/1923/TgA174.jpg