ZOO CREATION AND SITE SELECTION

Design a phytoplankerPhytoplankton are microscopic organisms that live in aquatic ecosystems and have thebiological pigments necessary for photosynthesis. There are many different types ofphytoplankton of myriad shapes. With only a few exceptions, these unicellular orcolonial organisms are more dense than water. Therefore, in the absence of upwellingsor other water currents that might keep them afloat, they will eventually sink in the waterand land down in the sediments. For photosynthetic organisms that require energy fromthe sun, this is an issue. The shapes of phytoplankton are so varied that phycologistsspeculate that some of these diverse shapes might increase resistance to sinking.Materials:1 liter graduated cylinder (one per group)Plasticine clay (Playdough)Wet-dry erase markerMaple syrupCanola oilVegetable oilBalancePre-class preparationActivity One:1. Mark a 1 liter graduated cylinder ( 500 ml and 250 ml graduated cylinder may besubstituted) with a wet-dry erase marker; place a mark 10 cm and 20 cm from thetop of the graduated cylinder.2. Fill a 1 liter graduated cylinder with corn syrup. This should be done for eachgroup3. Weigh out 3 grams of plasticine clay on a balance. Note that each group willreceive 9 clay models for the first three activities.Activity Two:1. Mark a 1 liter graduated cylinder ( 500 ml and 250 ml graduatedcylinder may be substituted) with a wet-dry erase marker; place amark 10 cm and 20 cm from the top of the graduated cylinder.2. Fill a 1 liter graduated cylinder with vegetable or canola oil. This should be donefor each group. Suggestion: The maple syrup can be placed into originalcontainer and replaced with vegetable or canola oil.22