Exercise 26: Protozoa/Slime Molds

EXERCISE 26: PROTOZOA/SLIME MOLDS

What is the Latin meaning of the word Protozoan?

I. PHYLUM: Rhizopoda (Amoebas) Define: a. pseudopodia- b. phagocytic- c. contractile vacuole-

PROCEDURE 26.1

1. From a living culture, prepare a wet mount slide of Amoeba ( or use a prepared slide). 2. Examine under low power ( 4x or 5x). 3. Sketch 2 or 3 Amoeba (about 1” in size) in the space below.

4. How do Amoeba move?

5. Can you see any movement? If so describe.

6. Why is a contractile vacuole a “must have” organelle for aquatic protozoans?

7. How would you describe the shape of Amoeba?

II. PHYLUM: Foraminifera (forams) a. Why are forams called shelled Amoebas?

b. What are foram tests? What are they made of?

PROCEDURE 26.2

1. Obtain a prepared slide of some Foraminifers. Look near the edge of coverslip. 2. Sketch 3 different types below (1” size).

3. Obtain a prepared slide of Radiolaria. 4. Sketch 3 different types below (1” size).

5. How are the shells of Radiolaria different than Foraminifers? III. PHYLUM: Sarcomastigophora

a. How do these protozoans move?

b. What are Trypanasomes?

c. How do these pathogenic protozoans infect humans?

PROCEDURE 26.3

1. Examine a prepared slide of Trypanasoma in a human blood smear. 2. Sketch a Trypanasoma below (1” size).

3. How does their size compare to a blood cell?

IV. PHYLUM: Ciliophora (Ciliates) Define: a. cilia-

b. macronucleus-

c. micronucleus-

d. conjugation-

PROCEDURE: 26.4

1. Prepare a wet mount slide of Paramecia. 2. How fast do they move compared to Amoeba?

3. Place a drop of methyl cellulose (Protoslo) on your slide to slow them down for observing their internal structure. Sketch a Paramecium below and label any visible structures.

4. Examine a prepared slide of conjugating (sexually reproducing) Paramecia. 5. Sketch below.

6. What are the advantages & disadvantages of conjugation?

7. Examine a prepared slide of Paramecium during asexual fission. Sketch below.

8. Examine a prepared slide of the ciliate Vorticella. They attach by a coiled tail to small objects on the bottom of ponds & lakes. Sketch 2 or 3 below.

9. Of what importance is the protozoan Plasmodium? What is its vector (carrier).

V. PHYLUM: Myxomycota (slime molds)

a. Where could you find slime molds growing?

b. What do they feed on?

PROCEDURE 26.8

Follow steps 1-3 page 286 in your lab manual and then sketch a slime mold culture below.