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.