Kingdom Protista
This module will have just two lectures. Lecture 1 will be focused on the subkingdom Protozoa (full hour) and lecture 2 will be focused on subkingdom algae (abt 30 minutes). Another way to look at the division is zooplankton and phytoplankton.
Subkingdom Protozoa
The four phylums are divided based upon the means of locomotion of the protist. If they have a flagella, they are in mastogophora. Sarcodinas have psuedopods (fake feet) and they get around by extending their bodies out in the direction they wish to go. Amoeba are in this group. THen there is ciliophora which have many cilia covering their bodies. The movement of the cilia tend to bring food their way. The there is sporazoa. They just sort of sit there because they don't have anything to get them from place to place except the current in the water.
We will also talk about a few parasitical forms of protozoa and the symptoms of the diseases that they can create. Tropical climates, in particular, have many host borne parasites that are transmitted via blood sucking organisms such as mosquitoes. Though, non-tropical climates get their fair share two via such vectors as ticks.
We will also talk about a few parasitical forms of protozoa and the symptoms of the diseases that they can create. Tropical climates, in particular, have many host borne parasites that are transmitted via blood sucking organisms such as mosquitoes. Though, non-tropical climates get their fair share two via such vectors as ticks.
Rotifers
My husband needed to make some alterations to the plumbing to our bathroom sink and it required the drain side of the pipes to be opened up. I swabbed a sample from the inside of the pipe and the life that could be seen under a microscope was amazing.
Rotifers are one of the more commonly accessible protists. You can find them anywhere there is a supply of food and enough moisture. Check the mud or shallows of your local stream and you are likely to find at least a few. Here is a video from our digital microscope showing a rotifer that seemed a little undecided about where it wanted to go. Filming protists can be quite a challenge because of how mobile they can be.
Below is a video that I took with my Nikon Alphaphot YS microscope and a digital microscope camera (Moticam) of a rotifer feeding. If you look carefully (Click on the funny arrows symbol to see it full-screen) you will see the pairs of spinning flagella that create a current to suck in smaller protists and bacteria. If you watch until the end, you will see that it doesn't have to be sessile. These can move around quite at their own free will, but they will often grab hold of surfaces while feeding.
Rotifers are one of the more commonly accessible protists. You can find them anywhere there is a supply of food and enough moisture. Check the mud or shallows of your local stream and you are likely to find at least a few. Here is a video from our digital microscope showing a rotifer that seemed a little undecided about where it wanted to go. Filming protists can be quite a challenge because of how mobile they can be.
Below is a video that I took with my Nikon Alphaphot YS microscope and a digital microscope camera (Moticam) of a rotifer feeding. If you look carefully (Click on the funny arrows symbol to see it full-screen) you will see the pairs of spinning flagella that create a current to suck in smaller protists and bacteria. If you watch until the end, you will see that it doesn't have to be sessile. These can move around quite at their own free will, but they will often grab hold of surfaces while feeding.
Rotifer Feeding from Tammy Moore on Vimeo.
Surviving via Cyst
This rotifer is going into a state called a cyst. When conditions are not favorable, in this instance the slide was getting a tad dry, they go into a cyst state to ride out conditions that could damage them. They pull up into a protective sphere and produce several layers of covering that harden somewhat to protect the organism inside. When conditions are favorable again, they will reverse the process and become active again.
Subkingdom Algae
There are five phylums in subkingdom algae. Phylum chlorophyta contain the green algaes. Phylum chrysophyta contain the beautiful diatoms. Diatom's structure is made of sliocone dioxide giving the what appears to be skin of glass. They look like little Christmas tree ornaments. Phylum phaeophyta are the brown algae. Phylum rhodophyta are red. Phylum pyrophyta are particularly interesting adn particularly deadly. They are what cause red tide.
Poison Needle Biomystery
Our lab day will have a biomystery. Students willl work together to solve the mysterious cause of an unusual illness. This biomystery is based on actual incidences and show the way the investigators sifted through clues to find the root cause of the disease. One of the incidents inspired Alfred Kitchcok to write his horror tale "the Birds". If you get a chance, look it up and watch it during this module. It is a classic old film that has become a part of our cultural heritage in early film horror films.