User:Student 66/Notebook/Biology 210 at AU

Madeline Rohrbacher BIO-210-007 2/4/2016

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Week 2: Hay Infusion

Introduction The purpose of the following experiment to observe the unicellular eukaryotic organisms growing on the top, middle, and bottom of Transect #3's Hay Infusion Culture. We used a dichotomous key to identify the protists and algae found in Transect #3. Our hypothesis would be that the different niches (top, middle, bottom) would have different protists and algae due to the different abiotic and biotic components in each layer.

Materials and Methods

1. Observe the Hay Infusion Culture. Make any notes on the appearance, smell, and color.

2. Identify the different layers of the Hay Infusion Culture and describe each.

3. Observe a sample from each niche.

4. Measure each organism and identify each using a dichotomous key.

5. Mix the Hay Infusion Culture jar by swirling it around with the lid on.

6. Collect and label four tubes of 10mLs sterile broth with 10^-2, 10^-4,10^-6,10^-8. Also collect a micropippetor and set is at 100micro Liters.

7. Collect four nutrient agar and four nutrient agar plus tetracycline plates. Label the plates with tetracycline with "tet" - always on the side of the plate.

8. Add 100 micro Liters from the culture to the 10mLs of broth in the tube labeled 10^-2. Swirl the inoculated tube throughly.

9. Repeat this process twice more to make the 10^-6 and 10^-8 dilutions.

10. Pipette 100 micro Liters from the 10^-2 tube onto the nutrient agar plate labeled 10^-3.

11. Repeat this process on the +tet plate labeled 10^-3.

12. Repeat this procedure with the 10^-4 dilution on the 10^-5 plates, 10^-6 dilution on the 10^-7 plates and the 10^-8 dilution on the 10^-9 plates.

13. Set the agar plates aside (side up) onto a rack. Leave them there at room temperature for a week.

Results

Observations of Hay Infusion Culture

Figure 1: Transect #3 Jar

Figure 2: Transect #3 Jar from above

1. The smell was pungent, like sewer. Almost a mold-like smell. Murky in appearance. The water was a light brown/green.

2. There was life on top of the liquid, as seen by the mold film on the surface of the water.

Niches of our jar:'

Figure 3: Jar Niches - Three distinct niches including: top, middle, bottom

4. Protists and algae present

On the top layer: Gonium, pandorina, colpidium, volvox

Middle layer: Volvox, paramecium bursaria, spirostomum, eugirna

Bottom layer: Blepharisma, didinium cyst, chilomonas sp,, spirostomum, pandorina colony

5.

Figure 4: Gonium found top niche.

The following organism was found in the top layer of our jar. Observed was the gonium (colony up to 90 um).

Figure 5: Volvox found middle niche.

The following organism was found in the middle layer of our jar. Observed was the volvox (350-500 um).

Figure 6: Didinium cyst found on bottom layer.

The following organism was found in the bottom layer of our jar. Observed was the didinium cyst.

6. None of the following above were motile.

7. If the Hay Infusion Culture "grew" for another two months, the

Serial Dilution:

Figure 7: Serial Dilution Process

Conclusion

Our hypothesis appeared to be correct. There were different protists and algae found in the different niches.

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Transect #3

Week 1: Transect Observation

Location:

Aerial view of Transect showing Abiotic and Biotic areas:

Transect #3 sits between Bender Arena and Hughes Residence Hall. The transect lies just above the amphitheater and before the road. The area consists of a few benches, light poles, garbage can, and a concrete pathways winding about the garden. The ground is relatively flat only to be interrupted with a staircase. The soil is dark with mulch and dead leaves on top of it. There are a variety of trees and plants assorted throughout the transect as well.

Abiotic features: 1. Metal benches 2. Mulch 3. Rocks 4. Dirt 5. Lamp poles

Biotic features: 1.Leafy plants 2. Leaves 3. Weeds 4. Tall trees 5. Small insects

Madeline_B._Rohrbacher