Download Activity 43 lab directions

Activity 43: Microbes Under View
Overview: Today and tomorrow you will be observing and drawing 4 microbes: bacillus
(bacteria), Coccus (bacteria), Trypanosoma lewisi (protist) and Paramecium (protist). It is
important that your drawings are as accurate as possible because you will be using them to
identify similarities and differences between the 4 microbes.
Background information: Microbes are different sizes and shapes and have different
structures inside. Microbes are organized into groups partly due to the differences in their
cell structures. Trypanosoma live in human blood. When you look at this slide, you will also see
red blood cells (round and reddish), and the darker Trypanosoma mixed in. Most cells have a
nucleus, but red blood cells are an exception to this. When you are drawing, focus on the
Trypanosoma, not the red blood cell. Bacteria come in several common shapes. These shapes
are often very helpful in identifying the group they belong in.
Lab Directions:
1. Bring your drawing sheet up to the microscope with you.
2. Slides have been focused already so only use the fine focus. Caution: the slides are all
glass so be very careful when focusing with the 40X objective lens.
3. Draw what you see; note what magnification you used and the name of the microbe, then
move on to the next microscope. Please note, there is a line on the side of each drawing
circle for you to record which microscope you used for that drawing.
4. Repeat step 3 for one other microbe, then switch places with your table partner. You will
draw the other two microbes tomorrow.
5. Return to you seat and label what you can. See front board for more specifics.
6. Begin Analysis questions 1-3, and 5.