Lab #2: Ciliate Challenge
Objective:
The objective of this lab is to identify the unknown ciliates located in six numbered vials of media by characterizing them with a dissecting microscope.
Purpose:
The purpose of this lab is to practice using a dissecting microscope and apply knowledge of the structure and function just learned about ciliates.
Procedure:
Materials- plastic pipet (x6), labeled vial (x6), media, unknown ciliate sample (x6), well plate, dissecting microscope
- Sterilize countertops and possible sources of contamination
- Transplant the unknown ciliates in vials of media into the well plate
- Observe each sample under microscope, being sure to take note of shape, relative size, movement, location, and other observations
- Sketch how the unknowns look in field of view under microscope, also providing the magnification factor being used
- Use notes and drawings to determine which type of ciliates the respective unknowns could be
- Clean up after by disposing of observed samples, sterilizing the well plates with bleach and water, leaving upside-down on on paper towel or cloth to dry, throwing pipets away into biohazard bin, sterilize countertop once more, and be sure the microscope used is clean and stored properly
Data/Analysis:
| Unknown # | Shape | Relative Size | Movement | Location | Other |
| 1 | Elongated or ovular | Very small | Quickly darting around | Throughout medium | Translucent |
| 2 | Flattened and discus | Small | Moderate speed with twisting | Top of medium | Posterior side is clear while anterior is shaded |
| 3 | Similar to 1 | Small but larger than 1 and 2 | Moderate | Throughout medium | Translucent |
| 4 | Smooth and cylindrical | Small to medium | Slow | Top of medium | Colored hue |
| 5 | Extremely long and narrow | Great length but relatively narrow and small | Slow, whipping motions | Top of medium | Snake-like appearance |
| 6 | Spherical with long tail | Large | Slow and smooth | Top near algae clusters | Green hue, tadpole-like appearance |
Conclusion:
Unknowns 1 and 3 are Paramecium, 2 is Euplates, 4 is Spirostomum, 5 is Vorticella, and 6 is Stentor. Because of the limitations in detail of dissection microscopes, a concrete conclusion cannot be reached without additional observation by other means.
In the Future:
I will have a better understanding about the function of a dissecting microscope and how it properly functions as well as a more contextualized understanding of ciliates.