Introduction. In this activity you will practice using your
microscope to identifyexamples of all the major groups organisms
studied by botanists.
Procedure. This lab is a type of scavenger hunt. Explore the
samples providedmacroscopically and microscopically until you have
found and drawn examples ofthe organisms listed. Have your TA
credit your discovery by checking off eachdrawing on the class data
sheet. Write down any additional info about each thatyour TA my
give you. Also indicate the magnification represented by
yourdrawing.
1. Autotrophic prokaryotes (Cyanobacteria). These are
photosyntheticbacteria lacking a nucleus or any other obvious
subcellular component.Examples may be found in the bowl at the
front.
2. Heterotrophic prokaryotes (Bacteria). In lab, these are
colorless rod orsphere-shaped bacteria lacking a nucleus or any
other obvious subcellularcomponent. Some are flagellated and
free-swimming.Examples may be founda the bowl at the front.
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2. Photosynthetic protists (Algae). Protists are eukaryotic.
Their cells havenuclei and other obvious cellular structures.
Protists are simple in structure, allall cells are simple and
undifferentiated. Photosynthetic protists are commonlycalled algae.
Label the chloroplast/s (the green pigmented structure/s in
thecell) in your drawing. What is the shape of chloroplasts in your
algal cell?
3. Heterotrophic protists (Protozoa). These are often called
unicellularanimals. They are not animals. Animals are multicellular
and have a highlevel of cellular differentiation where these are
all unicellular. Protozoans actas herbivores eating bacteria and
algae or as predators eating each other.Protozoans move by
flagella, cilia, or, if ameboid, by pseudopodia.
4. Plants. Observe the uprooted aquatic plant at the front. This
is Sagittaria.Plants are structurally complex, and the bodies of
higher plants can bedivided into roots and shoot. Draw Sagittaria
and label shoot and root.
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5. Animals. Animals are heterotrophic multicellular organisms
with a high levelof cellular differentiation (i.e. They have
muscle, nerve, bone... cells). List
below any animals you observe in any of the samples you have
explored. Youmay also find microscopic animals (not
protozoans!).
6. Fungi. Fungi are heterotrophic eukaryotes. They are important
ecologicallyas decomposers, and as symbionts (either as parasites
or in mutualisticrelationships with other organisms). Fungi
typically grow as filaments calledhyphae. They are mostly
terrestrial and you wont find them in theaquarium. Prepare a wet
mount of the hyphae growing in the petri dish at thefront and make
a drawing.
