Student:
Taylor Hutcheson

Date:
19 January 2017

Title:
Meet the Ciliates

Goals:

• To observe the different groups of ciliates and their characteristics so as to identify their subphylum.
• To become familiar with the use of the dissection microscope as well as the methods of observation.

Procedure:

1. Clean the work areas with 10% bleach solution.
2. Obtain a clean 24-well plate.
3. Using the plastic pipette, place each unknown into each separate well until it is about halfway full. It is important that, during this process, the well in which the unknown is placed is carefully recording.
4. Observe each unknown under the dissecting microscope and fill out the table as detailed as possible.
5. Make a detailed sketch of each ciliate, and provide a tentative identification along with the reasoning behind this identification.
6. Tape your observations and notes into your lab notebook.
7. Discuss the “Questions That Matter” with your group.

Observations & Data Analysis:

Unknown A: Paramecium – A1

• Relatively small
• Thin, oblong shape
• Swim by moving back and forth in a spinning motion
• Dispersed throughout the solution
• Move in XYZ directions

Unknown B: Spirostomum – A2

• Relatively large
• Thick, long noodle shape
• Swim by moving back and forth in a spinning motion
• Do not spin or swim as often or as objectively relative to Unknown A
• Not as populated
• Move in XYZ directions

Unknown C: Blepharisma – A3

• Relatively medium in size
• Thicker in the middle
• Swim by moving back and forth in a spinning motion
• Swimming motion is relatively slow
• Float more often than spin
• Fairly populated and dispersed throughout the solution
• Do not seem to dive as much as other ciliates, so do not necessarily move in the XYZ directions

Unknown D: Euplotes – A4

• Relatively small
• Thick, flakey shape
• Swim in rapid spins and flips
• Move forward in short bursts rather than a consistent rate
• Change direction often
• Not as populated
• Move in and out of the field of view
• Move in XYZ directions

Unknown E: Stentor – A5

• Relatively large
• Tadpole shaped
• Thick cylindrical heads with tails
• Swim at a consistent rate for a few bursts before taking a break
• Do not change direction as often
• Possibly the least populated
• Move in XYZ directions

Next Steps:

One may attempt to recreate the environment in which these different ciliate groups live in so as to observe their reactions to other substances as well as their functions. One may also wish to observe the ciliate’s reactions to environmental changes such as change in temperature and pH.