A pond or lake is an excellent source of a large variety of microscopic life forms. Innumerable protazoa, as well as many types of invertebrates, are easily obtained in water samples taken near the shoreline. In this activity you will have the opportunity to view some examples of these organisms.
You will also examine various samples from different levels in the water column.
In this activity you will:
1.
Observe and compare characteristics among protests.
2.
Compare samples from three different levels of pond water.
1 compound microscope, 1 medicine dropper, slide, cover slip, pond water
What is your hypothisis for what you will observe when comparing various levels of pond water?
1.
First observe the pond water and make a list of how many different organisms you see? Plantae, animalia, protista, monera (archaebacteria, eubacteria, fungi.
2.
Stir the pond water and fill your cut ¾ full.
3.
Let your cup of water sit for 3 minutes.
4.
Take a drop of the sample from the top of the water column, get some organisms, and make a wet mount. Observe as many organisms as your can. Prepare as many slides as you see fit to locate a variety of organisms.
5.
Draw a picture of four (4) different organisms. Be sure to draw their relative sizes, general description, and apparent type of movement.
6.
Prepare slides from the middle of your water column and bottom.
7.
Observe and record four (4) organisms from each.
8.
Pour your pond water back into the bucket. a.
Clean the slides and dry. b.
Clean your station. c.
Leave the station how you found it.
1.
Which slide had the greatest number of organisms?
2.
How might an organisms ability to move relate to its method of obtaining nutrition?
3.
Write a paragraph about the significance of the abundance of organisms in the various levels of a pond.