Life in a Drop of Water
TEK 8C: Identifying Characteristics of the Kingdom Protista and
Fungi. .
Identification of organisms in a drop of pond water using a
microscope and prepared slides of protists.
Purpose: Pond water is alive with a diverse array of organisms and many are
microscopic. These microorganisms are essential to the balance of the ecosystem in the
pond. You may already be familiar with some of the organisms, like amoeba,
paramecium, euglena and algae. In this lab, you will become familiar with common
microorganisms found in pond water, experienced in exploring the microscopic world
and sketching images from the microscope.
Materials: Microscope, slides, coverslips, water droppers, distilled water, Chapter 20 in
textbook, reference sheet, prepared slides of different protists, and protozoa solution.
Procedure:
1. At each lab station there should be a clean slide and a clean cover slip. Make sure
they are cleaned before using. At each lab table, there are prepared slides of an
amoeba, algae, spirogyra and diatoms, all different types of organisms found in
Kingdom Protista.
2. Look at each of the above mentioned slides under low power first, then medium
power, and lastly high power. Draw 1-2 cells under high power in the proper
place on the lab form. Make sure your drawings are representative of the image
you are looking at; proper color, labeling, named and identify the magnification.
3. One person from the group take the clean slide and cover slip to the teacher lab
station to obtain a drop of the prepared Protista solution. Put the slide under the
microscope and focus under low power. There should be small organisms moving
around on the slide. It might take a few minutes to find the organisms and they
might be moving at a high speed. Be patient.
4. You will need to sketch at least 2 examples of different types of Protists found in
the solution on the clearest magnification. Again, make sure you draw in accurate
color and at least 1-2 cells. Try to identify each organism you draw. Use the
identification keys at each lab station.
5. Clean and dry the slide and cover slip. Return back to lab station. Obtain a
prepared slide of Rhizopus, a part of the Fungi kingdom. Draw under high power.
Return the slide when completed. Turn off microscope, unplug and fix cord.
Throw away any trash and return to your desk to answer the questions.
Name _________________
Date __________________
Class Period ____________
Microorganisms Microscope Lab
Protists: Amoeba
Magnification _______X
Protists: Diatoms
Magnification _______X
Protists: Algae
Magnification _______X
Questions:
1. Which organelle seen in these
organisms is not found in
bacteria?
2. What organelles allow Protists
to move through their watery
environment?
3. Name an organelle in algae
that allows you to know that it
is photosynthetic.
4. What is unique about Diatoms’
cell walls that give them a
geometric appearance?
Protists: Spirogyra
Magnification ______X
Protists Questions Continued:
5. Why is algae one of the most
important organisms on earth?
6. How does Spirogyra’s name
relate to its structure?
Fungi: Rhizopus mold
Magnification _______X
Kingdom Fungi
1. What is the only unicellular
fungi?
2. How do fungi obtain food?
3. Define hyphae.
Pond Water Solution- Wet Mount Slide
Organism #1
________________________________
Magnification ________X
Organism #2
______________________________
Magnification ________X
Analysis Questions
1. Why might some of the autotrophic organisms not survive in the
classroom solution?
2. What does the hay represent in the solution of pond water?
3. What Domain and Kingdoms are most of the pond water organisms in?
4. How does the cell wall composition differ in the microscopic
kingdoms? (Eubacteria, Archaebacteria, Protista, Fungi)
5. Why are many of these organisms not found in swimming pools?
6. How are fungi beneficial to the environment?
7. Differentiate between the term saprobe and parasite.
8. Compare and contrast the two kingdoms: Protista and Fungi?
9. Describe one plant disease, one human disease and one animal disease
caused by a Fungus.