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Lab 1 - Exploring Blue-Green Bacteria
Purpose: The purpose of this lab is to introduce you to bacteria. Through this lab you will be able to learn the basic characteristics of bacteria. You will observe a group of bacteria called cyanobacteria, or blue-green bacteria.
Worksheet
Download the copy of the lab sheet for this activity.
1s_-_exploring_bacteria.pdf | |
File Size: | 31 kb |
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Part One - Background
Follow the instructions on your sheet for part one: In the box below, write three statements or facts of what you know about bacteria.Note from Mr. Ower: you can write down what you know about them from our previous studies, things you've heard in the news, etc.
Part Two - Research
Copy the information below into your research section on your worksheet.
Today we will be observing up to three different species of bacteria. Scientists classify bacteria on several characteristics: cell shape, genetic makeup, and environment. Note from Mr. Ower: there are more ways to classify bacteria, but these will be the three we look at for this unit.
All bacteria have the following in common:
- they are all unicellular and prokaryotic (lack a nucleus)
- they all have one of three shapes
- Most move by flagella (if they don't have this, they don't move on their own!)
In early classification systems, scientists classified these bacteria as plants. See if you can determine why they thought these organisms were plants.
Today we will be observing up to three different species of bacteria. Scientists classify bacteria on several characteristics: cell shape, genetic makeup, and environment. Note from Mr. Ower: there are more ways to classify bacteria, but these will be the three we look at for this unit.
All bacteria have the following in common:
- they are all unicellular and prokaryotic (lack a nucleus)
- they all have one of three shapes
- Most move by flagella (if they don't have this, they don't move on their own!)
In early classification systems, scientists classified these bacteria as plants. See if you can determine why they thought these organisms were plants.
Part Three - Observations
Follow the procedure below (not the one on the worksheet).
1. Draw each specimen into the provided space on your worksheet.
2. Color the specimen.
3. Write down any observations you can make. Examples: shape, color arrangement of cells, etc.
Note from Mr. Ower: you learned in the research that all bacteria are unicellular. Often we will observe bacteria in clusters, or arrangements. Each part is one cell. The bacteria are still unicellular but often pair or link together.
1. Draw each specimen into the provided space on your worksheet.
2. Color the specimen.
3. Write down any observations you can make. Examples: shape, color arrangement of cells, etc.
Note from Mr. Ower: you learned in the research that all bacteria are unicellular. Often we will observe bacteria in clusters, or arrangements. Each part is one cell. The bacteria are still unicellular but often pair or link together.
Part Four - Analysis
Answer the questions on your worksheet. Use your observations of the bacteria to help you answer the first question. For question 2, use the text provided below to answer the question.
1. Each of the organisms are bacteria. What observations did you make that let you know these organisms are bacteria? (Use your observations to help you answer this question!)
2. These organisms are called cyanobacteria, or blue-green bacteria. Use the text below to explain how these bacteria are similar to and different from plants.
Blue-Green Bacteria Information
Blue-green bacteria are bacteria that make their own food by photosynthesis. Most are sphere-shaped cells that are large enough to be seen with a compound microscope. The cells may exist alone or in clusters that form colonies. A colony is a group of similar cells that are attached to each other. Many colonies of blue-green bacteria may form a mass large enough to be seen without a microscope.
Two pigments present in all blue-green bacteria are the green pigment chlorophyll and a blue pigment called phycocyanin. Despite their name, not all blue-green bacteria are blue or green. They can contain other pigments that make them yellow, red, brown, or even violet.
Blue-green bacteria can live in a variety of places and are common wherever their is moisture. Blue-green bacteria can live in both fresh and salt water.
Blue-green bacteria are like plants in two ways. They make their own food and they have cell walls. For many years blue-green bacteria were classified as algae. Like plants, blue-green bacteria contain chlorophyll and other pigments used to make food. However, unlike plants, blue-green bacteria do not contain chloroplasts. Another different is the cell walls. The cell walls of blue-green bacteria is made of different chemical compounds than those cell walls found in plants.
1. Each of the organisms are bacteria. What observations did you make that let you know these organisms are bacteria? (Use your observations to help you answer this question!)
2. These organisms are called cyanobacteria, or blue-green bacteria. Use the text below to explain how these bacteria are similar to and different from plants.
Blue-Green Bacteria Information
Blue-green bacteria are bacteria that make their own food by photosynthesis. Most are sphere-shaped cells that are large enough to be seen with a compound microscope. The cells may exist alone or in clusters that form colonies. A colony is a group of similar cells that are attached to each other. Many colonies of blue-green bacteria may form a mass large enough to be seen without a microscope.
Two pigments present in all blue-green bacteria are the green pigment chlorophyll and a blue pigment called phycocyanin. Despite their name, not all blue-green bacteria are blue or green. They can contain other pigments that make them yellow, red, brown, or even violet.
Blue-green bacteria can live in a variety of places and are common wherever their is moisture. Blue-green bacteria can live in both fresh and salt water.
Blue-green bacteria are like plants in two ways. They make their own food and they have cell walls. For many years blue-green bacteria were classified as algae. Like plants, blue-green bacteria contain chlorophyll and other pigments used to make food. However, unlike plants, blue-green bacteria do not contain chloroplasts. Another different is the cell walls. The cell walls of blue-green bacteria is made of different chemical compounds than those cell walls found in plants.