Chandler Opara

11/8/18

Experimental Title: Ciliate Isolation and Characterization

Objective:

The objectives of this lab were to determine the soil texture, begin preparing for scientific presentation with partners, and continue with finding ciliates and learning their classification.

Purpose:

The purpose of determining the soil texture was to help identify what can environment these ciliate thrive in, while the knowledge of classification of ciliate helps to identify the ciliates as accurately as possible.

Procedures

Soil Texture

1. Obtain the test tube (containing soil mixture) from last week, use the ruler to measure the height of the mixture.
2. After measuring the total height of the mixture, measure the height of each individual component (sand, clay, or silt) in the mixture.
3. Calculate the percentage of each substance by dividing each individual height by the total height of the mixture. Multiply the answer by 100 percent.
4. Use the numbers to determine the soil type.
5. Record calculations and findings in lab notebook.

Non-Flooded Plate

6. Extract 20 µl of water from the soil perti dish and place it on a concavity slide.
7. Use the compound microscope to observe any ciliates in the sample. Make sure to use the 4x and 10x objectives
8. Once the ciliates are found, add 10 ml of methyl cellulose to the sample. Use the micropipettor to mix by slowly pipetting up and down.
9. Record observations of the ciliates and take a picture.

Data:

Overall height: 3.5cm

Clay: (.2/3.5) ×100= 5.6%

Silt: (.3/3.5) ×100= 8.6%

Sand: (3/3.5) ×100= 86%

Storage:

The compound microscope was turned off, covered, and put away. Once the slides were cleaned, they were placed on a drying paper. The micropipettor tips were disposed in the designated cup. The falcon tube was stored in test tube rack at room temperature. The non-flooded soil sample was stored in the class container under the fume hood. Make sure your work area is clean before leaving the lab.

Conclusion:

In lab, I did not find any ciliates from soil sample or the Bermuda grass soil. I was able to use some from Nathan’s. The soil texture of my sample can be identified as loamy sand. One thing I noticed was that my soil didn’t settle evenly, so there could be some error. The classification of the soil can help us understand why these specific ciliates behave the way they do, while also showing what environments they can adapt well in.

Future Goals:

In the future, my group will begin to prepare for our presentations by looking over the found ciliates and explaining their characteristics. We will use snapshots from videos of ciliates and the soil texture in our presentation.