Name________________________
4/11
Class__________
COMPARING PROTIST LAB
Problem
Protists are organisms that have nuclei and live in wet environments, such as ponds, oceans,
and the bodies of larger organisms. Other than that, protists don’t have much in common. For
example, some live independently as separate cells; others form colonies of many unattached
cells. Plant-like protists are autotrophs (organisms that can make their own food). Animal-like
protists and fungus-like protists are heterotrophs (organisms that cannot make their own food).
In this investigation, you will observe and compare five common protists: amoebas,
euglenas, paramecia, volvox, and stentor.
Materials
Microscope
Amoeba culture tube
Paramecium culture tube
Volvox culture tube
Euglena culture tube
Stentor culture tube
Procedures
Observing Amoeba:
1. Use the low, medium, then high objective lens to look at the details of the amoeba.
2. Observe the amoeba and draw a sketch OR take a picture of what you see (to be placed in
“Plate 1: Amoeba” ). Name your picture and save it on your flashdrive. Label: cytoplasm,
pseudopods, and cell membrane
3. Record the TOTAL MAGNIFICATION.
Observing Euglena:
1. Use the low, medium, then high objective lens to look at the details of the euglena.
2. Observe the euglena and draw a sketch OR take a picture of what you see (to be placed in
“Plate 2: Euglena” ). Name your picture and save it on your flashdrive. Label: flagellum,
cytoplasm, chloroplast (eyespot…if you see it).
3. Record the TOTAL MAGNIFICATION.
Observing Paramecium:
1. Use the low, medium, then high objective lens to look at the details of the paramecium.
2. Observe the paramecium and draw a sketch OR take a picture of what you see (to be
placed in “Plate 3: Paramecium” ). Name your picture and save it on your flashdrive. Label:
cell membrane, oral groove, cytoplasm (cilia…if you see it).
3. Record the TOTAL MAGNIFICATION.
Observing Volvox:
1. Use the low, medium, then high objective lens to look at the details of the volvox.
2. Observe the volvox and draw a sketch OR take a picture of what you see (to be placed in
“Plate 1: Amoeba” ). Name your picture and save it on your flashdrive. Label: vegetative
cell, daughter colony, flagella (if you see it)
3. Record the TOTAL MAGNIFICATION.
Observations: Remember to label and color your drawings and write the total magnification.
PLATE 1: Amoeba
Magnification_________
Label: cytoplasm, pseudopods, and cell membrane
Describe how it moves (avoid it looks like)
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__________________________
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Length:_____________ µm*
PLATE 3: Paramecium
PLATE 2: Euglena
Magnification ___________
Label: flagellum, cytoplasm, chloroplast (eyespot…if you
see it).
Describe how it moves (avoid it looks like)
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
Length:_____________ µm*
PLATE 4: Volvox
Magnification_________
Label: cell membrane, oral groove, cytoplasm (cilia…if
Magnification ___________
Label: algal cell (daughter colony…if you see it)
you see it).
Describe how it moves (avoid it looks like)
Describe how it moves (avoid it looks like)
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
Length:_____________ µm*
__________________________
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Length:_____________ µm*
*PROTISTS measured in micrometers (µm)
PLATE 5: Stentor
Directions: Observe stentor for about 1 minute. Label
the nuclei, buccal cavity and any algae (if seen)
Magnification_________
Describe how it moves (avoid it looks like) and any
other things you see it do.
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
Length:_____________ µm*
DATA ANALYSIS: (use complete sentences)
1. Of the five protists, which was the largest? Smallest? (use data/observations to
support your answer)
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________________________________________________________
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2. Of the five protists, which was the fastest moving protist? Decribe its method of
movement (use observations and names of parts to support your answer).
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_________________________________________________________
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3. Which protist was the most difficult to find? ____________________________
b. Why was this protist the most difficult to find?
__________________________________________________
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4.
What organelles do all protists have in common? (name at least TWO)
__________________________________________________
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5. Which protists were heterotrophs? ___________________________________
Were you able to see one or more of them eat? _______ If so, describe the method you
observed. If not, use your text or notes to describe how one of these protists obtains
its food. ___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
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CONCLUSION and Critical Thinking:
6. Why is the eyespot an important structure in the euglena? Be specific.
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