Biology - HOT Science Lab

Student
Classification – Fishing for Protists
(Adapted from: Biology Exploring Life - Prentice Hall)
NGSSS:
SC.912.L.15.6 Discuss distinguishing characteristics of the domains and kingdoms of living
organisms. (AA)
Background:
The Kingdom Protista includes incredible diversity. Protists differ in shape, structures, and sizes,
but also in their habitats, motility, nutrition, and reproduction. Some protists are able to
photosynthesize and some are heterotrophs.
Purpose or Problem Statement: (Choose one or make up your own)
Does environment determine the type of protist found
How does the presence of light affect the type of protists that inhabit an area
What protist characteristic affects its classification
Safety: Wash hands after handling protists, microscope procedures
Vocabulary:
Protist, Euglena, Amoeba, Paramecium, Stentor, flagella, pseudopod, cilia, dichotomous key
Materials:
Microscopes
Microscope slides
Protist identification key
Protist cultures (Euglena, Paramecium, Amoeba, and Stentor).
Procedures:
1. Label one microscope slide ―surface‖ and the other microscope slide ―bottom.‖
2. With a microscope, observe the ―surface‖ slide under low, medium, and high power.
Make sure to move the slide around the stage to survey the entire area under the cover
slip.
3. Repeat step two with the ―bottom‖ slide.
4. Describe and sketch the protists you observe on the slides. In your description, note
specific characteristics, such as method of locomotion (cilia, flagella, and pseudo pod),
color, shape, etc. Use a protist key to identify the different types of protists you observe.
5. Construct a dichotomous key of the protists observed using the characteristics noted.
Biology HSL Page 236
Curriculum and Instruction