Global Warming

Chantya Greenwell

Laboratory: Population Biology

Paramecium Growth Data P. Aurelia grown alone, cells, mL P. caudatum grown alone , cells, mL P. Aurelia grown in mixed culture, cells/mL P. caudatum grown in mixed culture, cells/mL

Day 0 2 2 2 2

Day 2 8 10 10 10

Day 4 54 28 36 24

Day 6 86 28 64 18

Day 8 98 60 84 18

Day 10 100 56 94 8

Day 12 100 60 90 4

Day 14 92 60 98 0

Day 16 100 60 100 0

Journal Questions

1. Make a hypothesis: I predict that the Paramecium will continue to grow alone until the carrying capacity has been reached however, with the mixed species; one species will continue to grow as the other one will decrease or even or no longer will exist and the other will be more dominant.

2. Explain how you tested your hypothesis. I used the two different species of Paramecium, Paramecium caudatum and Paramecium Aurelia. Equipment used in this experiment included the following: two species of Paramecium, rice, three test tubes, five milliliters of water in each test tube, two flasks, two pipettes, a microscope, wet mount slides, and a calendar. Each flask was made into a wet mount slide with the slides provided. There were three slides, one containing species from each of the three flasks. Slide one containing P. caudatum was placed under the microscope and counted. P. Aurelia was placed under the microscope and counted. Last, the mixed species were placed under the microscope and counted as well. For every 1 species counted on each slide, they were multiplied by two to acquire the appropriate number for one milliliter. I recorded calculations onto my data sheet. This recording occurred on day zero. Every two days this information was recorded from each slide; new slides were made every two days. A calendar kept rack of the days.

3. On what day did the Paramecium caudatum population reach the carrying capacity of the environment when it was grown alone? How do you know?

On day 8 the Paramecium caudatum populations reach the carrying capacity.

4. On what day did the Paramecium Aurelia population reach the carrying capacity of the environment? How do you know?

Paramecium Aurelia reached its carrying capacity on day ten. I looked at my graph and day 10 had the highest number.

5. Explain the differences in the population growth patterns of the two Paramecium species. What does this