Pond Water Lab
Name_________________________Due Date_______Period___
Humans knew nothing about cells and microscopic
life until the microscope was invented about 400 years ago. When
our ancestors first saw this diverse collection of microscopic life
they
were amazed at the diversity and complexity that had been so long
hidden.
Now we classify life into 5 kingdoms that includes this diverse
microscopic
life. These 5 kingdoms are: Monera, Protist, Fungi,
Plant,
and Animal. Use your book to describe in detail the
characteristics
of each and list 2 examples of each:
1.
Monrea:
2.
3.
4.
5.
In this pond water lab
you
will fill a clear quart (or L) size jar with: 1) 1 cm soil, 2) organic
matter (plant leaves and stems), and 3) pond water. Securely
cover
the jar and leave a few small holes for gasses to diffuse in and
out.
We will place our jar (ecosystem) in a warm lighted place in the lab
and
observe it 2-3 times/wk. for several months. Your data each day
will
include:
1. External observations with every sense except taste.
2. List, Identify, and draw any macroscopic creatures observed.
3. Microscopic observation in which you will:
a. identify, draw and measure (in
micrometers)
each new creature (all kingdoms!),
1. Use your text book and the other sources provided by your teacher,
b. list all species (types) observed,
c. estimate the relative abundance (for a graph) of each
creature
observed using a scale of your own invention, and
d. list any other observations that pertain.
Take your data on your own paper
realizing
that you will use many pages for this data over several months.
Hypothesis:
Data: On your own paper.
Results:
Discussion Items:
1. Yours:
2. Name, draw, and list the measurements (in micrometers) of one
creature
from your pond water from each of the 5 kingdoms. [if you do not have
one
of the kingdoms, get one from a class mate!].
3. Describe the niche of one producer (autotroph) and one consumer
(heterotroph) from your pond water jar.
4. Make a multiple line graph on the computer using: 1) the relative
abundance as the Y-axis, and 2) time as the X-axis. Include a
line
for each species or type of creature. Be sure and use equal
increments
and label everything!!
5. Make hypothesis as to why your pond water populations changed over
time.
6. Define each, list an example of each and explain how your pond water
represents each: niche, habitat, population, species, ecosystem, and
community.
Discussion & Conclusion: on
your
own paper.
Grading
Criteria: Comments:
1. Front page............................_______/5pts.
2. Hypo., results, and D. I........._______/6pts.
3. Data:
Daily observations...................________/20pts.
Drawings................................________/10pts.
Measurements........................________/4pts.
4. Discussion:
#1..........................................________/5pts.
#2..........................................________/5pts.
#3..........................................________/5pts.
#4..........................................________/10pts.
#5 & #6.................................________/5pts.
5. Conclusion.........................________/5pts.
Total......................................_________/80pts.
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