Objective:

The objective of this lab was to familiarize us to using the dissecting microscopes to observe microscopic organisms. The lab instructor had the goal for us to learn how to operate dissecting microscopes efficiently and being able to identify unknown ciliates by using information references and our basic knowledge of ciliates.

Purpose:

The purpose for this lab was to get us to understand the procedure of how to properly work in a lab and how set up our lab notebooks for recording data. Also this lab had the purpose to teach lab safety and how to use a dissecting microscope correctly.

Procedure;

1. All students were placed in a team of three and each group were given  24 well plates, dissecting microscopes, six pipets and six unknown samples in closed test tubes.
2. Each group member prepared their microscope by uncovering it and adjusting it to satisfy their preference in order for them to accurately observe the microscopic organisms.
3. The group members then prepared their lab journal by making a chart of all the information they needed to collect for each of their samples. The information gathered for each sample included the organism’s number, shape, relative size, movement, extra characteristics, a sketch and identification.
4. The group members divided the six samples between them, each member had to observe and identify only two samples.
5. Each group member used aseptic techniques to prepare their sample for observing  by carefully using a pipet to obtain a sample and place it onto one of the 24 well plates. All six of the samples were labeled with a number in order to prevent confusion.
6. Each group member observed their sample individually and prepared their second sample with the same procedure used for first sample (step 5).
7. While observing the sample, each group member noted all the information needed for identifying the ciliate.
8. A reference guide of multiple ciliates was used to draw comparisons and help identify the samples.
9. Lastly each group member sketched their sample and recorded their ciliate name once they identified it.

#1

Sketch/Identification:

The subject was too small and fast to be able to accurately identified and sketched

#2

Characteristics- Short ridges on the bottom and has cirri to help with movement.

Identification:  Aspidisca

#3

Characteristics: Large dot near the front that possibly could be an organelle.

Indentification: Paramecium

#4

Characteristics: small narrow shape with multiple small black circles that covered the inside of the organism.

Identification: Frontonia

#5

Characteristics: Brown color but had a white transparent circle on the front of the organism. Also within the organism were block circles that were identified to be organelles.

Identification: Blepharisma

#6

Characteristics:Unique trumpet shape with an opening on the front of the organism. The sample had a light blue and green mixture of color.

Identification: Stentor

Storage:

Our group cleaned the 24 plate wells by washing them with a bleach mixture and water. In order for the 24 plate wells to dry we placed them upside down above a piece of paper towel to avoid spilling water on the table. The six pipets and samples were then placed into the flume pit. The dissecting microscopes were put away by being covered and unplugged, the cord was wrapped  around the arm of the microscope. Then we disinfected the table and dried it by using paper towels.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, this lab helped our group become comfortable with the microscopes and gave us a sense of how to properly work in a lab and use our lab notebooks.  Our group was able to get a introduction into ciliates and began to understand some of their characteristics and their behavior. The first sample was not able to be identified but this was due to the subject being too small and fast that could not allow us to accurately identify it. Since this was our first lab and introduction to ciliates our identifications cannot be a hundred precent accurate but our group tried to the best of our ability to label these microscopic organisms. In the upcoming labs our group will have a better sense of a lab setting and will be able to work more efficiently than before.

Future steps:

For the future, our group could take less time trying to adjust the microscope to fit our needs since we gained beneficial information to handle the dissecting microscopes.

Objective:

The objective of today’s lab was to examine and identify six unknown ciliates.

Purpose:

The purpose of today’s lab was to learn how to use and manipulate the dissecting microscope.

Experimental Procedures:

• Remove sheath from microscope.
• Plug in and power on microscope.
• Grab any test tube containing ciliates labeled 1-6 and swivel solution around.
• Use corresponding pipette labelled 1-6 (to prevent contamination) and fill any well to just below half full.
• Focus and Calibrate dissecting microscope and examine unknown ciliate.
• Repeat steps 3 through 5 until all ciliates have been examined.

Data/Observation:

The data was to be organized into a chart like this:

Sample #1:

I identified sample one to contain the Paramecium ciliate. I made this observation based on the premises that it looks a lot like the image I drew.

Sample #2

I identified the unknown ciliates in sample 2 as Euplotes. I identified them as this because of the way they swam and their shape.

Sample #3 & #4

The unknown ciliates in both sample 3 and 4 were very similar. They were both relatively the same size and looked and swam alike. For this reason I classified them both as Frontonia ciliates.

Sample #5

In sample 5, these ciliates were the most unique. They were long and slow. This sample is distinctly the Spirostomum ciliates based directly on shape and size.

Sample #6

I identified sample 6 as the Stentor. This sample looked like flying bowling pins. This is closeset ciliate I could find to match.

Storage:

After the lab, my group cleaned out the wells using bleach and water. We then placed the wells on paper towels. We also moved the test tubes containing the ciliates to a different lab table.

Future Steps:

In the future I hope to become more comfortable using microscopes and identifying organisms under it.

Objective:

The objective of the Ciliate Challenge Lab is to learn how to use the dissecting microscopes and learn how to identify the ciliates.

Purpose:

To identify the ciliates using their individual characteristics like shape, size, movement, and speed.

Procedure:

1. Plug in dissecting microscope and get the lense into focus.
2. Use pipette, labeled to match a test tube, to take a small sample of the ciliates and place it into its designated well.
3. Repeat step 2 for each of the ciliate test tubes.
4. Put pipette back into pipette holder, and place the test tubes back into their holder too.
5. Put the wells under the microscope and observe each individually and fill in the table accordingly.
6. Draw each of the ciliates to the best of your ability, and make any final observations.
7. One finished observing your ciliates, take the wells and wash them under the sink with bleach.
8. Place the wells upside down on the towels to dry for the next group.
9. Clean your table.

Observations/Data

Drawings:

Conclusion:

We were able to list characteristics of each of the ciliates and make our best predictions as to what the name of each sample is. What I plan to do next is to use a more powerful microscope to get a better image of each of the ciliate samples. This will help me to better identify the ciliates and make better observations in the future.

Introduction/Background:

Ciliates are a part of the Eukaryotic domain. They are unicellular protists that have very distinct hairlike structures surrounding their cell body. These hairlike structures are known as cilia. The cilia are used for movement and feeding. Ciliates consume bacteria and algae, as well as provide nutrients for organisms at higher trophic levels.  Vacuoles are abundant within the ciliate, allowing for extra waste storage. The purpose of this lab was to use the dissecting microscopes to observe and identify different ciliates through analysis of their structure and function.

Materials:

• Dissecting microscope
• 6 pipets
• Wells
• 6 test tubes
• ciliate solution
• lab notebook
• pen

Procedure:

1. Wipe down work surface as to avoid contamination
2. Set up Microscope
3. Retrieve pipettes, wells and test tubes
4. Choose 2 of the 6 test tubes labeled 1-6 (I chose 3 & 4)
5. Use a pipet to fill half of a well with the first ciliate solution
6. Observe movement, structure and color of ciliates
7. Record observations in lab notebook
8. As to avoid cross contamination, use new pipet to fill half of the second well with your second ciliate solution
9. Repeat steps 6 & 7
10. Use observations to identify ciliates
11. Clean out wells with water and bleach
12. Put microscope away

Results: 

 Sketches:

Conclusion:

Different ciliates are created with subtle differences in structure. Their unique structure helps them to carry out their specific function within their designated ecosystem. The dissecting microscope was useful in observing the structure of these ciliates, which further helped identify the type of ciliate.