Lab Work with Gary
Introduction
Method and Materials
In our lab we were provided with three protist specimen samples for observational purposes.The protist samples where of Euglena, Paramecium, and Amoeba. Each individual sample was obtained from a water resource found in Bermuda. Applying a droplet of water, from a disposable pipette, we displayed each individual type of specimen onto its own slide. We observed the different organisms under the microscope to identify each organisms structure, what it actually looks like, and their methods of movement.
Results
The Euglena was very fascinating to watch as it used its flagellum, which looks like a semi- long tail, to act as a propeller to maneuver itself. The Euglena can be distinguished by its green chloroplast, flagella, and its red eye spot. The red eye spot is not an actual eye, but is a highly developed photosensitive area, more so than the chloroplasts. Euglena is classified as a mixotrophic organism. It can produces its own food, and energy, through photosynthesis in its chloroplasts by using light to create energy. However, it can also "eat" other organic organisms which categorizes it as a heterotroph. Due to its ability to survive by two different modes of obtaining energy for its survival, it is therefore classified as a mixotroph. Euglena reproduce asexually by a process called binary fission. During mitosis the euglena's nucleus, chloroplast, and basal bodies divided in half and the entire organism splits in a longitudinal direction with the division of the cytoplasm. It creates two daughter cells that are almost identical to the parent. These daughter cells grow and reproduce themselves (Reece, J.B., Urry, L.A., Cain, 2011).
Method and Materials
In our lab we were provided with three protist specimen samples for observational purposes.The protist samples where of Euglena, Paramecium, and Amoeba. Each individual sample was obtained from a water resource found in Bermuda. Applying a droplet of water, from a disposable pipette, we displayed each individual type of specimen onto its own slide. We observed the different organisms under the microscope to identify each organisms structure, what it actually looks like, and their methods of movement.
Results
The Euglena was very fascinating to watch as it used its flagellum, which looks like a semi- long tail, to act as a propeller to maneuver itself. The Euglena can be distinguished by its green chloroplast, flagella, and its red eye spot. The red eye spot is not an actual eye, but is a highly developed photosensitive area, more so than the chloroplasts. Euglena is classified as a mixotrophic organism. It can produces its own food, and energy, through photosynthesis in its chloroplasts by using light to create energy. However, it can also "eat" other organic organisms which categorizes it as a heterotroph. Due to its ability to survive by two different modes of obtaining energy for its survival, it is therefore classified as a mixotroph. Euglena reproduce asexually by a process called binary fission. During mitosis the euglena's nucleus, chloroplast, and basal bodies divided in half and the entire organism splits in a longitudinal direction with the division of the cytoplasm. It creates two daughter cells that are almost identical to the parent. These daughter cells grow and reproduce themselves (Reece, J.B., Urry, L.A., Cain, 2011).
Reference
Euglenoids, retrieve from website, http://silicasecchidisk.conncoll.edu/LucidKeys/Carolina_Key/html/Euglena_Main.html
Euglena - YouTube. YouTube - Retrieved February 23, 2013, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHZZKwrYm4g
Protist Information, "Euglena Spirogyra-2", http://protist.i.hosei.ac.jp/pdb/images/mastigophora/euglena/spirogyra/var_02/spirogyra14b.html
Reece, J.B., Urry, L.A., Cain, M.L., Wasserman, S.A., Minorsky, P.V., & Jackson, R.B., (2011). Campbell Biology (9th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Pearson Education, Inc.
Euglena - YouTube. YouTube - Retrieved February 23, 2013, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHZZKwrYm4g
Protist Information, "Euglena Spirogyra-2", http://protist.i.hosei.ac.jp/pdb/images/mastigophora/euglena/spirogyra/var_02/spirogyra14b.html
Reece, J.B., Urry, L.A., Cain, M.L., Wasserman, S.A., Minorsky, P.V., & Jackson, R.B., (2011). Campbell Biology (9th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Pearson Education, Inc.