Name: ________________________________________ Period: _______ Date: _________________
Pond Water Lab
Problem/Question:
How is the microscope used to visualize microscopic organisms in pond
water?
What type of organisms are living in pond water?
Purpose:
a) To develop skill in using the microscope
b) To prepare wet mount slides
c) To observe multiple specimen and draw them
d) To evaluate the living organisms in pond water
Materials:
Light microscope, glass slide, coverslip, pond water, and pipette
Procedure:
1. Using 2 hands take a microscope to your table (carry by the base and
arm of microscope)
2. Be sure that the scanning power objective is in place
3. Plug in the microscope and turn on the lamp
4. Get a glass slide, pipette, and plastic cover slip from the materials table.
Using a pipette, place a drop of pond water on the center of the slide.
5. Place your coverslip at about a 45 degree angle over the drop of water.
Gently lower the coverslip onto the slide. Tap the coverslip gently to
remove air bubbles.
6. Place the wet mount slide of the pond water on the stage of the
microscope.
7. Focus the slide in scanning power using the coarse adjustment knob.
You may need to gently move the slide to find things.
8. Use the fine adjustment to further sharpen the focus in a higher
objective.
9. Draw at least 4 of the microorganisms you see in the water.
10. Use the guide to identify the organisms you have drawn.
Draw 1
organism per
circle and have
it fill at least ¾
of the circle.
Identify the
organism and
include your
magnification
Lab Analysis:
Write the answer in complete sentences.
1. Approximately how many microscopic animals are in a drop of pond
water?
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2. How do you think the microorganisms in the pond move? What do they
use to move?
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3. Where do the microorganisms in the pond get their energy from?
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4. What type of organisms found in a pond would benefit from these
microorganisms?
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5. What is the role of microscopic organisms in the pond ecosystem?
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6. What is the relationship between the microscopic animals and plants?
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7. What would happen if a new species of catfish that filters water in
order to eat microorganisms, was introduced into the pond water
ecosystem?
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