User:Student 68/Notebook/Biology 210 at AU

January 21, 2016: Protists taken from an Outdoor Sample

Purpose: The purpose of this lab was to classify protists found in the hay infusion sample. After extracting small samples at all levels of the sample, dichotomous key was used to categorize the types of protists represented. The group hypothesized that many different protists would be observed, as there is usually wide diversity in every environment - no matter how small.

Materials and Methods: The hay infusion sample was created by taking a sample from the transect and preserving it in a plastic bag. Placing about 10 grams of these items (soil, leaves, etc) into a plastic jar created an environment for these items to live. Following this, 500mLs of deerpark water and 0.1 grams of dried milk. A lid was temporarily placed on the jar so that the items could be mixed together, but then the lid was removed so the environment would have access to air. After a week, samples were taken from the top, middle, and bottom of the hay infusion sample. Each one was placed on a microscope slide and cover slip, then put under a microscope to observe the protists in the sample. Results were noted and the protists were identified using a dichotomous key.

Data and Observations: The hay infusion sample had a foul smell after a week. The top layer was creamy, while the middle layer was a musky brown color. At the bottom of the jar, a layer of what looked to be dark mud was sitting there. Six different protists were observed, two from each layer of the hay infusion.

This shows a side view of the hay infusion.

This displays an aerial view of the hay infusion.

Within the top layer, pandorina and difflugia were found. Both can be seen in the photo, though they were difficult to photograph as they were very small. The pandorina was faint green and had a round shape. About 40 micrometers, it had a flagella to move. Because it was green, it can be assumed that this a type of algae that does photosynthesis. On the other hand, diffuglia is a protist. It was brown in color and had an oval shape. Measuring 150 micrometers, it moved very slowly.

In the middle layer, paramecium and euglena were observed. Above, the paramecium is displayed. It was green and 30 micrometers. It moved very quickly because of its many cilia. Paramecium is a protist.

Above displays a drawing of the euglena, as it was hard to capture on the microscope. It measured around 70 micrometers and was green with cilia. This is neither a protist or algae; it is a mixtroph.

In the third layer, colpidium and pelomyxa were observed. Both pictures are shown below (pelomyxa first). Pelomxya is a protist. It was green and had flagella, about 500 micrometers. The colpidium is also a protist, about 50 micrometers and green in color. This organism had cilia.

Data and Observations: The data supported the hypothesis, as it allowed the group to see many types of protists. In each layer of the hay infusion, a different protist was shown. It is likely that there were many more protists and types of algae that the group did not see. Overall, it is obvious that protists can grow in varied environments. Furthermore, there is a lot of variation in the protist family. Some of the organisms were much bigger than others, for example: the pelomxya was 500 micrometers and the pandorina was only 40 micrometers. The organisms also varied in shape and color. The experiment worked because the environment was given food (the milk), sunlight, and oxygen. If the group were to repeat this experiment, it would be better to spend more time on finding usable samples so that the protists are easier to find on the microscope.

January 15, 2016: Exploring a Transect at AU

Purpose: The purpose of this lab was to observe a niche on the American University campus, analyzing its abiotic and biotic factors. In order to study evolution and environment, a 20x20 outdoor area was used as an example. It is likely that there were more abiotic factors than there were biotic factors.

Materials and Methods: Materials: -pencil -paper -plastic bag -20x20 outside area labeled with sticks -method of photography (cell phone) Methods: -First, the group found its location on the American University campus. The section used for this data was section 4. -After acknowledging the area, an aerial diagram of the 20x20 space was drawn using pencil and paper. -Following the drawing, the group filled their plastic bag with abiotic and biotic factors.

Data and Observations:

This is an aerial diagram drawn with pencil. On the diagram, the directions (N,E,S,W) can be shown as well as rocks, benches, plants, and a body of water.

Besides the aerial diagram, pictures of the area were taken with a cell phone. They show the factors described previously. The transect also had a water drain, acorns on the ground, a net that covered the water, and rocks that lead a pathway throughout the whole transect. Much of the soil was moist and about half of the trees had no leaves.

Conclusions and Future Directions: Within this transect, there were many biotic and abiotic factors found. Abiotic components included soil, rocks, water, sticks, air, and sunlight. Biotic factors included bushes, flowers, trees, leaves, moss (in the water), bamboo (on the water net), grass, acorns, and squirrels (though these were not seen, there was evidence of them). In contrast with the hypothesis, more biotic factors were measured than abiotic factors. This could be because there were actually more biotic components in the area or simply that not enough abiotic components were measured. Next time, more background on abiotic factors should be researched so that more accurate data can be taken.