Lab: Biodiversity -- Microbiology
The Scientific Method:
As you go through the lab, the scientific method will be your guide to the process. Click here for more information about the scientific method.
Introduction:
The theme of this lab is microbiology, a very broad topic that covers viruses, bacteria, archeans, and the majority of protists.
Objectives:
- Explore and report on a specific kingdom of microorganisms.
- Develop and present a virtual poster to be presented at your class online virtual presentation session.
Recording Your Observations:
Click here to download the lab report for this lab, where youâll record your hypotheses, observations, and conclusions.
Procedures:
- Visit http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/historyoflife.php History of Life on Earth, University of California, Berkeley Museum of Paleontology. Click the diagram of the three domains, and then follow to the Systematics link for a group you desire to begin researching for this lab.
- Visit a number of websites (a few starters are listed below) that deal with the great diversity, and biological, ecological and economic impact of microorganisms to life on earth and human society. Gather (and cite!) information and images to allow you to prepare a poster or PowerPoint presentation.
- In your poster or PowerPoint presentation, you will need to detail the classification of the group of creatures you are detailing.
- Required elements include: the time of first occurrence, fossil record (if any), economic and societal impact of the group, and its evolutionary importance (for example the green algae are not terribly important save as a stem group for the evolution of plants).