Evolution of Brine Shrimp Name Allyssa Clark

Learning Target:
I can explain how natural selection results in organisms being adapted to their local environment
I can precisely follow a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or
performing a technical task and produce and analyze accurate data 1

BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE:
salina) are found all over the world in saltwater lakes in ponds where evaporation naturally
Brine shrimp (Artemia
occurs. Examples of this include places such as Mona Lake in California and the Great Salt Lake of Utah. Even though
they live in water with salt concentrations, Brine Shrimp are not found in the ocean. Brine Shrimp are vital organisms
in the food chain for many other animals to feed on and live off of. They are able to survive in waters where salinity
and f temperature can drastically change throughout seasons. Brine Shrimp eggs are similar to cysts and can live in a
dormant state called diapauses.

Brine shrimp are a part of the Animal Kingdoms largest phylum, Arthropoda or Arthropods. Each specific species of
brine shrimp has adapted characteristics that allows them to either live in very high or very low salinity. This means,
when the water is not ideal for either type of species, they remain in the dormant state until they have reached
optimal levels. However, once they are in their preferred environment, they will begin to hatch within hours. In this
investigation you will determine Artemia salinas specific salinity preference after millions of years of evolution and
discuss what differentiates them from other species.

QUESTION:
What is the preferred salinity concentration for Artemia salina?

HYPOTHESIS
Formulate a hypothesis in your science journal answering the question above. Use reasoning and background
knowledge to fully develop your thinking:
I think that the brine shrimp will grow larger in higher salinities.

MATERIALS:
Small Tube of Brine Shrimp Eggs Petri Dishes
Fine Tip Brush Marker
Microscope Slides Four Salt Water Concentrations
Double-Sided Tape Pipette
Microscope/ Stereoscope

PROCEDURE:
1. Obtain five, clean petri dishes that will be used for the experiment

1
CCSELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.3:
Follow precisely a complex multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical task,
attending to special cases or exceptions defined in the text. .
2. Label the tops with the various salinity levels that will be going into each of the petri dishes (see table dilutions 0%,
.01%, 1%, 5%, 10%)

3. Put 30 mL of Salt Solution in each dish.

6. Pull out 5 microscope slides and place strips of double-sided tape on each of the individual slides

7. Using the fine tip of the brush, gently dip the brush into the tube of the Brine Shrimp eggs

8. Scrape the eggs onto the double-sided tape of the microscope slide; repeat until done with all slides

9. Place slide under microscope to count the exact number of eggs collected; repeat until done

10. Record the number of each slide and place into data table

11. Place the slides into the filled petri dishes and seal the lid on top

12. After 24 hours, record data for numbers of swimming, half-hatched, dead, or not hatched at all

13. Using a pipette, remove all the swimming and dead Brine Shrimp from the petri dish and place them into a
separate beaker

14. Repeat steps 12 and 13 once again after 48 hours

15. Collect all data, and clear out all of the Brine Shrimp and empty the petri dishes, and clean-up station

DATA: Record the data each day for your group in the space below. There will be chances to compare your data
with other groups data later in the week.

Initial 24 HOURS 48+HOURS

Dish # % NaCl # Eggs # Eggs - # Eggs Dead # # Eggs - # Eggs # HATCHING

Initial or Partially Swimmin Dead or Swimming VIABILITY
Hatched g Partially
Hatched

1 0% 40 20 25 5 13 35%

2 .01% 70 20 65 0 16 20%

3 5% 150 18 6 10 12 40%

4 10% 80 19 0 0 14 33.33%
 5 14 30%

ANALYSIS: Write answers IN YOUR JOURNAL TO THESE QUESTIONS!

1) How many different species of Brine Shrimp are there? You will have to do some outside research for this question.

2) Based on the data above, what was the prefered salinity for Artemia salina? What specific data supports this (use
numbers!)

3) How does this experiment show evidence for evolution?

CONCLUSION:
1) Using the data and information in this lab, create an abstract (short summary 1-2 paragraphs) to answer the
person the whole time, use scientific vocabulary and use data
question we began with day. Make sure to write in 3rd
and evidence to support your ideas.

What is the preferred salinity concentration for Artemia salina?

2) Prepare a three slide presentation that describes your experiment, results, and biomimetic applications (how could
studying brine shimp and their evolutionary relationships and traits be used to solve a problem or create an
innovation). Be ready to present this in a two minute presentation to the class!