Title/ abstract    (last to finish as a group)

• Algal Blooms

1. Includes the question to be answered by the lab

• Can Pyrocystis fusiformis double its population in 7 days in a lab setting given a constant temperature and light.

2. States hypothesis that is based on research and/or sound reasoning

• Given optimum growing conditions the alga content will be a higher concentration than previously observed and the biolumencents will increase. That is to say that when Pyrocystis fusiformis grows in lab conditions, there should be a denser culture after 7 days then at the beginning. With a denser culture there would be more biolumencents in the sample.

3. Title is relevant.

• Algal Blooms- P. fusiformis is an algae and algal rapid growth is referred to as a “bloom”

Introduction (sam does intro :3)

1. Background information is researched and cited. Hypothesis is stated.

Methods

1. Description or step-by-step process is included, could be repeated by another scientist

• step by step process reads like a lab report.

 

This experiment was inspire by the circadian rhythm in land plants; the opening and closing of leaves and flowers due to the sun. In an effort to tie land to sea we wanted to find an algae that had a circadian rhythm. The algae we found was a tropical species that bioluminesses when stimulated–Pyrocystis fusiformis

Equipment Needed:

what you will need to conduct this experiment

• Light meter
• 150mL beaker
• 100mL beaker
• aluminum foil
• light fixture
• temperature meter
• water bath
• fish tank heater rod
• 1,000 mL small mouth flask
• 50mL P. fusiformis
• pH tabs
• light timer
• black tarp of some-sort
• scotch tape
• two milk crates
• extension cord
• LabQuest
• two pennies
• large (15″x7″x7″) Tupperware container
• zip ties
• hand saw

Set up:

First: You will need to take the two milk crates and saw one side off of each crate using the hand saw.

Second: Tie the crates, sawed off sides together, with the zip ties. make sure the facings are on the same side.

Third: Attach aluminum foil to the crate using tape. Note- make sure to have a solid piece of foil hanging down from the front of the crate. there should be no holes. the crate will be placed with the width down (taller than wider).

Fourth: Tape pennies to the bottom of the tin.

Fifth: Attach the light to the light fixture between the crosses in the milk crate at the top of the crate. so that the light bulb is inside the

Sixth: Place the fish tank heater in the 1,000 mL small mouth flask

Seventh: Place the 1,000 mL small mouth flask into the large (15″x7″x7″) Tupperware container

Eighth: Place the algae in the 100mL beaker, place the thermometer in the beaker, tape the top of the beaker leaving a hole at the lip of the beaker.

Ninth: Fill 150mL beaker half way with water. place the 100mL beaker into the 150mL beaker.

Tenth: Now place the two beakers in the Tupperwear container-fill with water.

Results (Tyler?)

1. Data is complete and relevant.

• Spell it out go over as a group to gauge completeness

2. Table and graphs are easy to read, are labeled and units are provided.

• Graphs of temperature, growth, bioluminescence, light

3. Hypotheses are addressed completely and correctly

 

• Restate hypothesis and expand based on data

Summary of Experiment

Pyrocystis fusiformis has a unique growth rate just like any other living thing. We wanted to look at this growth rate by growing our own sample of Pyrocystis fusiformis in average conditions. We planned on growing a sample and taking videos every day, then compiling our data into a comprehensible graph/table. The calculations needed are simple; the few Pyrocystis fusiformis that bioluminece in a small area would be multiplied by the ratio of that small area to the rest of the sample. For example, if we looked at half of our 50mL sample and saw 5 Pyrocystis fusiformis light up in a 10 second time period, then we would multiply the five we counted by 2. This would give us 10 Pyrocystis fusiformis in our 50mL sample. More accurately; this would give us the number of Pyrocystis fusiformis that bioluminesces in a 50mL sample over 10 seconds of agitation. To do this we gathered a 50mL sample of Pyrocystis fusiformis and tried to create ideal growing conditions. These conditions include 12 hour cycles of light and dark, continuous temperature (70F) and some nutrients to grow.

Cited Data

Unfortunately we did not gather any data from our sample of Pyrocystis fusiformis. By looking at videos of other samples we have not been able to answer our question about growth rate. I will explain why we didn’t gather data a little further on.

Hypothesis vs. Reality

First we hypothesized that we could calculate the growth rate of Pyrocystis fusiformis using the assumption that a higher concentration would result in more bioluminescence. We planned on taking a video, calculating the flashes seen in one measurable section, and then using that small section to calculate how many Pyrocystis fusiformis are in the container in total. There is no reason to believe that an population sample would not accurately calculate the total amount of Pyrocystis fusiformis in a sample, but our sample never grew. Without a properly grown algae sample, we weren’t able to film videos. Without multiple videos to examine, we weren’t able to prove or disprove our hypothesis.

Errors we Made for You

During our experiment we encountered the challenge of keeping Pyrocystis fusiformis at the appropriate growing temperature. At first we kept the sample of Pyrocystis fusiformis in a hot water bath. Despite the growing temperature being 18C-22C (about room temperature) the room we had access to for our experiment was 16C-17C. We had to increase the temperature to successfully grow our sample of Pyrocystis fusiformis. The first set up was a simple hot water heater with a basin filled with water; then a smaller beaker set inside with our sample inside. The lowest setting of the heating instrument was too hot for the algae. Next we changed to a small circular flask (100mL) with a heating cozy around it. This was also too warm. Finally we got a large tank heater. We placed this tank heater into a deep beaker (a) filled with water. This large beaker (with heater inside) is placed in a large plastic dish that we filled with water and set a smaller beaker (b) in. The plastic dish filled with water now holds the tank heater/beaker (a) on one side and the other beaker (b) on the other side. Beaker (b) is full of water, and has a smaller beaker (c) floating in its water. The beaker (c) has the sample of Pyrocystis fusiformis inside it with a thermometer recording its temperature.
Unlike in the ocean, the sample of Pyrocystis fusiformis was stuck in the temperatures we set for it. When it was too cold they had to become dormant; while over-heating essentially cooks them. Our sample was subject to a flux of both too much and too little heat, which is why it wasn’t able to grow properly. The final set up where the temperature is regulated by a tank heater, capable of increasing or decreasing temperature by a degree (F), gives the most control over the heat. With the hot water bath the temperature is more steady and regulated. Unfortunately for us we found this out just a little too late.

References (As a group)

1. References cited according to journal standards

• Cite all work easy bib

Quality

1. Report is follows given guidelines
2. Cohesive
3. One or fewer grammatical or spelling errors.