Abbas Khan

November 15, 2018

Lab 13: Ciliate Isolation and Characterization

Objective:

Use morphological characteristics and taxonomy knowledge to classify or at least begin the classification process for observed ciliates from the soil sample collected weeks ago. Also perform the soil composition test as started in the prior lab.

Procedure:

Ciliate Characterization

1. Observe micropippetted drops of soil sample water under compound microscopes at various magnification; record observations and document through pictures
2. If no ciliates are found, take micropipetted drops from the sample bermuda grass provided by the lab instructors
3. Take observations data and compare any of the applicable data to known characteristics of species available to our knowledge through class readings

Soil Texture

1. Obtain previously prepped falcon tubes of soil sample, which should now have definitive separations of water, dirt, and sediment
2. Measure the sediment in mm, each section specifically; take percentages of the sections
3. Read the pyramid graph of sediment percentage to classify the type of soil retrieved in sample

Data:

Ciliate Characterization

This ciliate was extracted from the soil sample, whereas my partners extracted from the bermuda sample. It appears ovalish, with clearly seen cilia on the sides, but not either ends. The documentation did not allude to enough observation to occur.

Soil Texture

Classification of soil sample resulted in Silty Clay

Conclusion:

Observations were once more difficult to perform, lack of time and lack of picture taking skills led to poor results and few results. The ciliate observed has a generic size and shape, nothing abnormal in general shape or geometry for a ciliate. The cilia on the cell are different in that the longest ones are on specific sides of the somatic part of the cell, so there is possibility to go further there. The soil sample concluded that the sample retrieved from next to the tree along the Brazos stretch next to the BSB was silty clay; which means it near equal component silt and clay, with very little sand. This alludes to the general soil composition in the area the sample was taken from, which of course will differ between soil other lab classmates have taken from mere feet away based on river proximity or sunlight exposure, etc.

Next Steps:

The poor results are things that can be fixed through mastering documentation techniques, while few results are still results, indicative of having given too much time given and not enough nutrients possibly for ciliates to survive. The point is, going further we have benefited, and we will be better ready for future research opportunities. We have enough pictures, and plenty of resources, to make an effective presentation in our final lab.