Observations Week 5

When first observing the microaquarium on 5x microscope it was initially and immediately clear that there were far more organisms inhabiting the aquarium and the amount of diversity was now greater than ever.

• Again, there were far more moving organisms toward the bottom of the micro aquarium and many, many unicellular examples towards the top.

(Patterson, 1996)

  These  uni cellular organisms hardly move and if they do its at a very slow, and repeditive pace.

(Patterson 1996)

This is an example of the organism Euplotes sp., which was seen throughout the micro aquarium, but mainly towards the bottom.

McFarland, Kenneth [Internet] Botany 111 Fall 2013. [cited 20/11/2013]. Available from http://botany1112013.blogspot.com/

Patterson D.J., Hedley S. 2003 – Free-living freshwater protozoa – a colour guide – Man- son Publishing, Washington, 223 pp.

Observations Week Four

Overall, the amount of organisms present is similar to last week.

• The biggest difference between the two observations were the size and maturity of the organisms at this point in the expirement.
• Particularly the Cyclops sp.
• Which has grown horn-like features and a shell looking casing.

Before this week, there was no where near as much growth of the organisms, but a good amount of them are maturing and reachign the adult phases of their lives.

Again, the most action continues to occur at the bottom of the microaquarium and there are many
cyclops sp. that continue to live and grow along the bottom.

• Towards the top of the microaquarium the majority of the present organisms are singlecellular.

(Patterson, 1996)

Patterson D.J., Hedley S. 2003 – Free-living freshwater protozoa – a colour guide – Man- son Publishing, Washington, 223 pp. 

Observations Week Three

Although there was a bit more movement I believe that I did not allow enough time between observations and because of this the existence of organisms was similar as well as their movements.

• The presence of organisms was again, much more highly noticed along the bottom of the microaquarium, gradually lessening throughout. 

• Circle-moving single-cellular organisms were the most heavily noticed, but the cyclops organism (Rainis, Russell 1996) seems to be growing slightly, and I believe that in a few weeks these organisms will look completely different. 

• The organisms seemed to be most densely populated among the Fontinalis sp. moss.

Rainis K, Russell B. 1996. Guide to Microlife. Danbury (CT). A Division of Grolier Publishing. 

Set-up and Observations Week One

Set-up of Microaquarium:

To begin to construct the microaquarium I was given the actual microaquarium sample slide as well as a base and cover in order to create the sample. The sample of water was taken from Third Creek at Tyson Park. Knox Co. Knoxville TN Partial shade exposure. N30 57 13.53 W83 56 32.37 824 ft. 10/14/2013. After enough of the sample was filled with water I then These plants were Fontinalis sp. Moss. collected from the Holston River along John Sevier Highway under the I 40 Bridge. This area has partial shade exposure at N36 00.527 W83 49.549 823 ft on 10/13/2013. The second plant added was Utricularia gibba L. Flowering plant. A carnivous plant. The original material is from the south shore of Spain Lake( N 35o55 12.35" W088o20' 47.00) Camp Bella Air Road East of Sparta, Tn. in White County and grown in water tanks outside of the greenhouse at Hesler Biology Building. The University of Tennessee, Knox County, Knoxville, Tennessee on 10/13/2013. After this we will continue to check and record the sample weekly to determine what organisms have grown and developed from different sources of H20. (Mcfarland, 2013) 

2.     Cook R. and Mcfarland K. 2013. General Botany 111 Laboratory Manual. 15^th Edition. University of Tennessee. 167. P.

McFarland, Kenneth [Internet] Botany 111 Fall 2013. [cited 20/11/2013]. Available from http://botany1112013.blogspot.com/

Observations Week Two

Observations: Week Two

• Far More movement along the bottom that any other region of the microaquarium. This activity seems to diminish as I started going towards the top of the sample. 

• Many circular-moving protozoa or bacteria that move fairly quickly. 
• These circular-moving organisms were unicellular. 

Cyclops - younger in age with less development than more mature cyclops. (Rainis and Russell 1996)

• These cyclops would sit for a few moments before flying out of sight of the microscope. 

Many gastrotrichs that move in an acordian like movement and seem to propel themselves extremely quickly throughout the sample. 

Most of the organisms seen were not chlorophyll green and appeared to be white or see through besides certain parts of the organisms

Rainis K, Russell B. 1996. Guide to Microlife. Danbury (CT). A Division of Grolier Publishing.