Ecology Virtual Labs
(Report all work on your own paper. Click on all of the hyperlinks.)
1. Go to the Microbe Zoo by clicking on this website: http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/dlc-me/zoo/
2. Go to DirtLand.
a. Click on the links
b. Make a chart similar to this on your paper, Fill in the table
Harmful microbe
Location
How is it harmful?
1
2
3
4
5
Beneficial microbe
Location
How is it harmful?
1
2
3
4
5
3. Go to the Animal Pavilion Read Habitat on Humanity
a. List 4 microbes that exist in or on human bodies. Describe the microbe, and whether it is harmful or
beneficial.
4. Go back to the Animal Pavilion and click on Cow Rumen
a. How do cows depend on microbes for their food?
b. List 4 microbes found in cows
c. List the other ruminants mentioned.
d. List the types of rumen microbes.
e. Why does rumen stink?
f. Why is a ruminant’s burp burnable?
5. Go back to the Animal Pavilion and click Termite Gut
a. Describe the symbiotic relationship between the termite and the microbes that live in its gut. What type of
symbiosis is this?
6. Go back to the Animal Pavilion and click Poo Corner
a. What fraction of poop weight is microbes?
b. Describe two microbes found in poo corner.
7. Go to the Snack Bar (found on the main page)
a. List three foods that are processed by microbes.
b. List three microbes that process foods.
c. Copy this table onto your paper and complete it
Common Name
Scientific Name
Kingdom
Why is it special?
8.
Go to Space Adventure
a. Go to Frequent Flyers and list 2 microbes found in the air around you.
b. Go to Missions with Microbes. Describe why long term missions to space will probably include microbes.
9. Go to Water World and click on Deep Sea Vents
a. Describe Riftia Symbionts
b. Describe Tube Worm Symbionts
Page 1 of 1
Ecology Virtual LabsShort.doc