This lab's purpose was to examine and further one's knowledge of protists, classification, and to review the proper use of a microscope.
Required Materials.
.
Microscope.
Live Samples or prepared slides of protists.
Microscope slides.
Cover slides.
Pipette.
Procedure.
1. Prepare wet mounts of desired organisms.
2. Observe first organism carefully - note any specific color, shape, method of movement, speed of movement, or other interesting details.
3. Draw the organism as it appears under the microscope - be careful not to leave any details out of the drawing.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 on remaining organisms.
* Wet mounts may require a few strands of cotton fibers to slow the organisms.
Discussion and Analysis.
This lab examined the multiple types of phyla within the kingdom Protista. Some of the protista observed included plantlike protists, known as algae, and animal-like protists, known as, protozoans.
Plantlike protists are photosynthetic organisms. Two examples of plantlike protists are Euglena sp. and Pandorina sp. Pandorina sp. is a colonial, multi cellular alga that uses flagella to move. Pandorina sp. consists of small cells bound by a translucent membrane, each with their own flagellum. When the membrane bursts the singular cells move about and form their own colonial Pandorina sp. The Euglena sp., on the other hand, is a single celled organism that uses cilia to move. The Euglena sp. is also a photosynthetic alga. .
The protozoans share some similarities with the alga, but their structures are completely different. Paramicium sp., Difflugia sp., and Blepharisma sp. are all protozoans. Protozoans are heterotrophic organisms, somewhat similar to algae in the matter of size and method of movement. Paramicium sp., and Blepharisma sp. both move using cilia. Cilia are small hair-like projections that come out of the sides of the organism. They sway in unison to allow the organism to move. The Blepharisma sp.
