Daphne Simo

11/15/18

I. TITLE

Ciliate Isolation and Characterization

II. RATIONALE/PURPOSE

The purpose of this lab was to continue observing soil samples in the non-flooded plates and Falcon tubes in order to find ciliates to classify. Furthermore, the Falcon tubes were analyzed to determine their texture and percent composition of silt, clay, and sand.

III. MATERIALS

Compound Microscope

Concavity slide

Micropipettors

Petri Plate

Soil sample

Dispersing agent

IV. PROCEDURE

Ciliate Observation

1. Retrieve soil sample from concealed container or Falcon tube from test tube rack
2. Using a micropipettor, obtain around 10-15μl of the sample and place onto a concavity slide.
3. View the concavity slide at 4x and 10x magnification to start with a compound microscope.
4. If ciliate found, obtain images and videos to use for future classification.

Soil Texture Test

1. Obtain soil sample from storage box.
2. Remove any debris such as rocks, sticks, plastic, leaves etc. from soil.
3. Place about 4mL of the debris-free soil into a Falcon tube.
4. Put about 3mL of water into the tube with soil.
5. Cover the falcon tube and mix the contents.
6. Add 1 drop of the dispersing agent. Mix again.
7. Observe tube after 30 seconds in which the sedimentation of sand particles will have occurred.
8. Let tube sit overnight or until next lab session.
9. Use a ruler to measure the percent of sand, silt, and clay. A preferred method is to take a clear picture of the Falcon tube and zooming in on the sedimentation lines.
10. Find percentage of each type of soil particle.
11. Record soil type in notebook and on Soil Data Sheet.

V. DATA & OBSERVATIONS

Soil Texture Test

Total of sand, silt, and clay: 2.1 cm

Sand: 1.15 cm (1.15/2.1) = (54.76%)

Silt: .85 cm  (.85/2.1) = (40.48%)

Clay: .1cm (.1/2.1) = (4.76%)

Texture: Sandy loam

Observation of Ciliates

Fortunately, I was able to find ciliates under the compound microscope this week. However, the ciliates were very hyperactive and constantly moved in and out of the different layers of the sample. As a result, I was unable to obtain any good footage of the ciliates.

VII. STORAGE 

The Petri Plates and concavity slides were carefully cleaned off with water, then dried off for future use. The soil samples had their Petri dish lids placed back on and stored in a secure bin. The compound and dissecting microscopes were covered and stored away properly. The Falcon tubes were stored away safely on a tube rack by our lab instructor.

VII. CONCLUSION

I can definitely say that lab this week was better than the previous week. Utilizing the Falcon tube and Bermuda grass as other sources to find ciliates, I was able to finally find some. This was a great step towards progression in hopes to identify a ciliate for the group presentation. However, all of the ciliates I found were either moving too quickly or bobbed in and out of different layers, not allowing me to capture a good image of what I found. Luckily, I have one more opportunity to find ciliates during open lab on Monday. Therefore, I hope to be able to locate more ciliates, and most importantly, capture good footage of them.

VIII. FUTURE STEPS

Moving forward, I strive to become more patient when I am unable to find ciliates. It was very disheartening when I was able to locate a ciliate, but it would move too quickly to be identified, causing me to not get footage. What also deterred me from finding ciliates were the amount of particulates in the samples I viewed. The debris and dirt would move, causing me to lose and ciliate or misidentify one, so I hope to take more clearer and diluted samples.