Purpose: The purpose of the experiment was to find a more accurate way to find cells and a better proportion for ludox centrifugation in order to get more accurate results.

Procedure: 

1. Weigh out 10g of soil without having any debris.
2. Add 20mL of water to the baby food jar
3.  Centrifuge the jar for 5 minutes
4. Let the soil settle to the bottom by leaving the sample alone for a few minutes.
5. Add 2.7 mL of soil juice  and 0.3mL of Glutaraldehyde to a small glass bottle and mix.
6. Inject 3mL of mixture into 9mL of Ludox solution to the 5mL mark
7. Add 2mL of water to the top of the tube gently
8. Centrifuge the tube at 4300g for 15 minutes
9. Draw 2mL of organic layer between the water and Ludox layers
10. Put the organic layer in the microfuge tubes and mix well
11. Take 5 2ul drops (per person) off the sample and observe under the microscope
12. Calculate the efficiency by diving the actual over the expected multiplied by 100
13. Centrifuge the sample at an angle at 12,000g for 1 minute
14. Make sure to keep the pellet in sight when removing the excess fluid from the sample
15. Label and store pellet in freezer.

Results: 

Soil weighed 10.0g

Ludox mixture weighed 23.4g

All of the samples were labeled SAM which is an acronym for my group’s initials.

Conclusion: In conclusion, we are hoping to get better results and find more cells using this new protocol. This lab helped engage students to use critical thinking skills and engage in team work.