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Date:
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Community Lab: Symbiosis Investigations
Learning Objective:
Define symbiosis and types of symbiosis: parasitism, commensalism and
mutualism.
Investigation A: Alder Tree
Question: Why are there nodules on Alder Tree roots?
Procedure:
1. Examine the roots of an Alder Tree using a dissecting microscope.
2. Use a scalpel to cut one of the roots off of the rootball.
3. Using a pencil, draw a diagram to illustrate what you see when viewing the Alder root through the
dissecting microscope. (1 Mark)
Notes:
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-Conduct your own research (refer to page 74 of Microcosmos) to describe the symbiotic relationship
occurring here. You must describe if/what both parties contribute to this relationship and the importance
of this contribution. (3 Marks)
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Biology 11: Symbiosis Lab
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-What type of symbiotic relationship is this? (1 Mark) _________________________________________
Investigation B: Termites
Question: What is the organism that lives in Termite intestines?
1. Use a pair of forceps to remove the intestines of a termite.
2. Squish the intestine on a microscope slide and place a cover slip on top of it.
3. View the specimen under a light microscope.
4. Identify the organism living in the termite intestines and use a pencil to draw them below. (1 Mark)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOzwGSAPpmo
Notes:
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-Conduct your own research to describe the symbiotic relationship occurring between the Termite and
organism inhabiting its intestines. You must describe if/what both parties contribute to this relationship
and the importance of this contribution. (3 Marks)
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-What type of symbiotic relationship is this? (1 Mark) _________________________________________
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Investigation C: Barnacles
Question: Why are there barnacles on mollusk shells?
Procedure: Examine the mollusk shells on display in the lab.
-Comment on the relationship between the barnacle and the mollusk when both organisms were alive.
You must describe if/what both parties contribute to this relationship and the importance of this
contribution. (2 Marks)
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-What type of symbiotic relationship is this? (1 Mark) _________________________________________
Investigation D: Mycorrhizal Fungi
Question: What is the importance of mycorrhizal fungi in our forests?
-Using your text, provide some interesting facts about this topic. You must describe if/what both parties
contribute to this relationship and the importance of this contribution. (2 Marks)
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Biology 11: Symbiosis Lab
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-What kind of relationship is this? (1 Mark) _________________________________________________
-Label the diagram below using the following terms: Fungal Hypha, Root Cells, Glucose. Draw and label
arrows to indicate the direction of Water/Mineral flow and Glucose flow. (2 marks)
Investigation E: Tapeworm
Questions: What is a tapeworm’s relationship with its host?
Procedure: Examine the tapeworm specimens and diagrams in the lab.
-Comment on the role of tapeworms in its host. What type of relationship is this? (2 Marks)
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-Find the name of one other worm that shares the tapeworm’s relationship with humans. There is a
specimen of one in the lab. (1 Mark)
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Investigation F: Lichen
Question: What is lichen?
Procedure: Examine the various forms of lichen in the lab.
-What are the two components of lichens? What type of relationship are they in? (2 Marks)
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-Label either diagram below with the following terms: Fungal Hyphae, Cyanobacteria (2 Marks)
Use your textbook to provide some interesting facts about lichen. (1 Mark)
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Investigation G: Leaf Cutter Ants
Questions: Are Leaf Cutter Ants farmers?
Procedure: View the short video on the Leaf Cutter Ants of the Amazon entitled Leafcutter Ants-the First
Agriculture from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RH3KYBMpxOU
-How did one cantankerous graduate student’s insight and persistence expand scientific understanding of
the Leaf Cutter Ant and Biology? (2 Marks)
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-Discuss the selective pressures (biotic interactions) acting on all members of the Leaf Cutter Ant coevolutionary group: Plants, Ants, Cultivated Fungus, Parasitic Mold, Antibiotic-producing Bacteria. (2
Marks)
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-How does the relationship between Leaf Cutter Ants and their antibiotic-producing bacteria differ from
the use of antibiotics in medicine by humans? How and why might that difference be vitally important?
(2 Marks)
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Investigation H: Aquarium
-Have a look at the Science Aquarium. What types of symbiosis do you observe? Make sure to specify
what organisms are involved in the relationship and how it affects them. You should see at least three
different examples and must explain the relationship! (3 Marks)
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Investigation I: Student Research
-Conduct your own research to provide information on two more symbiotic relationships.
-In your description you need to mention all parties involved in the relationship, if/what they contribute
and the importance of this contribution. (3 Marks)
-Bonus marks will be provided for students who bring specimens to class!
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