Name:
Natasha Oslinger Jenni Gonda
3/10/15
Title:
Worm Lab
Purpose:
To try to find nematodes in soil that we collect and record their behavior.
Procedure/Observations:
Day One:
Observations/Questions/Research
Observations of lab-grown nematodes under a microscope:
Under a high power microscope, the nematodes seem to move with no direct intention of purpose. They bump into each other, run over and under each other, they seem to lump together and get intertwined, and there are small oval shaped eggs scattered around.
Under a high power microscope, they seem to form large balls of nematodes, only a few are unconnected from the huddle, they appear to be moving less, this is probably because of the heat the microscope is emitting.
Questions: how long is the total life cycle of these nematodes compared to nematodes found in their natural habitat? Can the nematodes be frozen and still live? How much heat can they endure?
Research:
-Introduced by Sidney Brenner in 1963
-Non-parasitic
-Feed on bacteria
-Hermaphrodites
-Can produce up to 350 offspring
-Life span of three weeks
-959 cells
-Tool to research genetics
Day Two:
Soil Collection Samples/Description
Sample One: Taken from the decomposed body of an opossum
-Large chunks
-Small hairs
-Very moist
-Brown/grey/yellow in color
-Sand like particles
-Dirt like particles
Sample Two: taken from a playground for children
-Yellow/grey in color
-Small pieces of wood
-Small pieces of rock
-Possibly clay
-Smooth texture
-Large chunks that do not seem to separate when shaken
Conclusion:
Day Three:
Did It work?
My partner Jenni and I were not successful in our hunt for nematodes. The soil we collected did not contain any nematodes, but, a banana peal I had discarded of a day earlier was positive for nematode activity.
Natasha Oslinger Jenni Gonda
3/10/15
Title:
Worm Lab
Purpose:
To try to find nematodes in soil that we collect and record their behavior.
Procedure/Observations:
Day One:
Observations/Questions/Research
Observations of lab-grown nematodes under a microscope:
Under a high power microscope, the nematodes seem to move with no direct intention of purpose. They bump into each other, run over and under each other, they seem to lump together and get intertwined, and there are small oval shaped eggs scattered around.
Under a high power microscope, they seem to form large balls of nematodes, only a few are unconnected from the huddle, they appear to be moving less, this is probably because of the heat the microscope is emitting.
Questions: how long is the total life cycle of these nematodes compared to nematodes found in their natural habitat? Can the nematodes be frozen and still live? How much heat can they endure?
Research:
-Introduced by Sidney Brenner in 1963
-Non-parasitic
-Feed on bacteria
-Hermaphrodites
-Can produce up to 350 offspring
-Life span of three weeks
-959 cells
-Tool to research genetics
Day Two:
Soil Collection Samples/Description
Sample One: Taken from the decomposed body of an opossum
-Large chunks
-Small hairs
-Very moist
-Brown/grey/yellow in color
-Sand like particles
-Dirt like particles
Sample Two: taken from a playground for children
-Yellow/grey in color
-Small pieces of wood
-Small pieces of rock
-Possibly clay
-Smooth texture
-Large chunks that do not seem to separate when shaken
Conclusion:
Day Three:
Did It work?
My partner Jenni and I were not successful in our hunt for nematodes. The soil we collected did not contain any nematodes, but, a banana peal I had discarded of a day earlier was positive for nematode activity.