Date: March 30, 2017

Objectives:

The objective of this lab was for us to be able to classify ciliates, know about the diversity among ciliates, culture our ciliates, and continue ideas for our final poster.

Background:

In the previous labs, we have been observing the ciliates in our soil, if we had any, and we have been culturing the ciliates we have found.

Procedures:

• Record out soil metadata on the Spreadsheet
• Observe our non-flooded plates under a microscope after a week of sitting in the incubator
  • Determine if there were any changes in you soil sample from last week.
• If ciliates are found observe them closer under a compound microscope.
• If none are found, continue to observe the non-flooded plate until you find one, or until all hope is lost.

Observations/Results:

• Once again, there were no ciliates to be found in my sample.
• I gave up, and used Lilly’s sample, because she had a butt ton in her soil.
• Capturing her ciliates was difficult, because they were incredibly small and quick.
• Once I captured the ciliate, I placed it in a tube
  • Labeled : HHN0617

Ideas for Future Experiments: 

• Again have better soil, so I don’t have to spend 3 whole labs searching. (Luckily Lilly was the ciliate whisperer and had tons.)