Name_____________________
Date___________Period_____
Protist Lab – A Comparison
Purpose: In this lab you will examine and compare representatives of different groups of protists from
the groups protozoa and algae. You will observe Sarcodina (Amoeba), Ciliophora(Paramecium),
Euglenophyta (Euglena), Volvox and Spirogyra. You will begin by looking at prepared slides
and then observe living protists to see the real life movement of these organisms.
Background: Protists are microscopic, usually one-celled, organisms found in almost every
environment on Earth. Although the ancestors of all life on Earth were simpler onecelled organisms, modern protists have evolved far beyond them. Many protists are
extremely complex and perform the same basic life functions as do multicellular
organisms. This fact illustrates the basic unity of all life.
Procedure – Part I: (prepared slides)
You will be observing prepared slides of various protists. Diagram each in the correct area below and
be sure to label all visible parts. All diagrams should be done in pencil. Colored pencils should also
be used.
Amoeba
Paramecium
Didinium devouring a Paramecium
This is a predator-prey
relationship and the smaller
one will attack and devour
the larger one. Be sure to
label both organisms.
Revised May 2010
Euglena
Spirogyra
Paramecium - binary fission
Procedure – Part II:
1. You will make five wet mount slides, one of each protist culture. For each slide you will
follow steps listed below. However, because the slide is a harsh environment for the
organisms, do not make a wet mount of an organism until you are ready to use it. Make
the first slide of Amoeba, the second of Paramecium, the third of Euglena, the fourth of
Volvox and the last one of Spirogyra.
2. Use the plastic pipet next to the correct culture container to carefully draw up some of the
culture. You will only need a very small amount. HINT: Amoeba will be found on the
bottom of the container **be careful not to stir up the water with the dropper**.
Paramecium, Euglena, Volvox and Spirogyra will be found throughout the container.
3. After adding a small drop to the slide, place a coverslip carefully on top. If you are
observing Paramecium or Euglena, you may want to add a drop of methyl cellulose to slow
them down. Be sure to observe them without it first.
4. Use the low-power setting on your microscope to locate the organisms and observe their
movement.
5. Next, use the higher power to clearly observe a single organism. One-celled organisms are
three dimensional, so check for structural details by using the fine focus and altering the
diaphragm.
6. As you observe the organisms, fill in the chart and diagram each of the protists as they appear
under high-power. Label each diagram with the following:
a. Name of the organism
b. Magnification used
c. Structures that you observe
Fill in the chart below as you observe the LIVE organisms – some answers may require your book or
notes.
Characteristic
General Shape
Overall Color
LIVE
Style of
Movement
(if any)
Structure for
Movement (if
any)
Method for
Feeding (Auto
or heterotroph)
Revised May 2010
Amoeba
Paramecium
Euglena
Volvox
Spirogyra
Diagrams:
Amoeba
Paramecium
Volvox
Euglena
Spirogyra
Questions: (you may need your book and/or notes)
1. Freshwater protists contain contractile vacuoles. What is the function of this special organelle?
What would happen if it stopped working? WHY?
2. Explain the role of food vacuoles in protists. What organelle in an animal cell can this be
compared to?
3. List the characteristics that all protists have in common.
4. What makes the paramecium and amoeba different from the other three organisms you
observed?
5. Euglena is a unique protist in the way it can obtain nutrients. What makes Euglena so special?
Revised May 2010
Name ____________________________________________________per ______date_____________
Bio L2 Check off sheet for grading Protist lab:
Section
Part I
Part II
Description
6 drawings of fixed slides (3 pts/drawing)
 Labels are included:
o In pencil
o Label written outside circle
o No arrows
 microscope power written in and size matches
microscope power
 drawings are carefully done
Points
Points
possible
18
12
Part II
Chart of characteristics for 5 protists (0.5 points per box)
 general shape
 overall color
 style of movement
 structure for movement
 method of feeding
5 drawings of Live protists (3 pts/drawing)
 Labels are included:
o In pencil
o Label written outside circle
o No arrows
 microscope power written in and size matches
microscope power
 drawings are carefully done
Questions
Five questions
10
Total
Revised May 2010
15
55