Bacteria and Protists Lab

Part I: Bacteria Identification (5 pts)

1. For each of the 3 main bacteria shapes, describe the shape and find an image (not a
drawing, but an actual photo) and label it with the scientific name. Be sure to cite your
source for each image. Include those below:

Shape Photo
Coccus

Figure 1: Streptococcus mutans, Otto Muller, 1993

The shape of coccus bacteria is round.
Bacillus

Figure 2: Bacillus subtilis, Sella, 1996

The shape of bacillus bacteria is rod-shaped.
 Spirillia

Figure 3: Treponema pallidum, Maria, 1999

The shape of spirillia bacteria is spiral and helical.

2. Give an example of a bacteria species that is harmful. Give the scientific name and
describe how this species causes harm.
Ans: Francisella tularensis is a harmful bacterial species that causes a disease called
tularemia. This species is pathogenic causing potential harm to the body resulting in fever,
rashes and itching on the whole body.

3. Give an example of a bacteria species that is beneficial/helpful. Give the scientific name
and describe how this species is beneficial or helpful.
Ans: There are certain bacteria that are beneficial or helpful. One of them is Bafidobacterium
animalis. It has immune modulation, epithelial adherence, and enhancement of gut barrier function.

Part II: Protist Identification

1. Using the Virtual Pond Dip activity, your notes from the lesson and the internet,
complete the following chart. There are ten protists within the pond sample. As you
identify them, click on the image and use the information to complete the chart below.
(10 pts)

Protist Name Habitat (where Size range Method of Auto, Hetero or

to find them) locomotion Mixotrophic
Often occurs in Filaments 10 - Bending and
Spirogyra floating green 100 µm wide, curving of the Photoautotrophi
masses, slimy to filaments up to filaments. c
the touch. many cms long
Decaying 20 - 1200 µm Pseudopodia Heterotrophic
Amoeba organic matter are used for
e.g. on leaves movement 
 and surface of
bottom mud.
Planktonic, or wide range diatoms are Autotrophic
Diatoms attached to amongst species capable of a
plants; often ca 5 - 500 µm type of
form brown locomotion
crusts on called “gliding”,
surfaces under which allows
water e.g. them
stones, plant to move across
stems. surfaces via
adhesive
mucilage
secreted
through the
raphe
Planktonic in Colonies up to 1 With the Mixotrophic
Volvox still and flowing mm propelling
waters movement of
two flagella
Planktonic, 25 - 100 µm Moves with the Autotrophic
Euglena often colouring help of whip-like
the water green. flagella
Planktonic and 200 - 1000 µm They have hair- Mixotrophic
amongst plants like
Actinosphaeriu (especially fine- pseudopodia
m leaved). called axopodia
(which are often
stiffened) that
radiate
outwards and
they move.
Attached to The 'bell' is up It moves with Heterotrophic
Vorticella algae and plants to 150 µm, with the help of
etc. stalk up to 1 temporary cilia.
mm.
Stentor Attached to Up to 2 - 3 mm It moves by Heterotrophic
plants/algae and long beating the cilia
planktonic. that cover its
body.

Desmid Planktonic, or Wide range They have long Autotrophic

on vegetation, amongst species filaments and
particularly ca 10 µm - 1 mm also secrete
 neutral to acidic mucilaginous
waters. substance with
the help of
which they
move towards
or away from
light source.
Paramecium Plankton and 60 - 300 µm It moves with Heterotrophic
amongst organic the help of cilia
matter.

2. For each of the 10 protists, find an image (not a drawing, but an actual photo) and label
it (just the name). Be sure to cite your source for each image. Include those below: (4
pts)

Protist Name Image

Spirogyra

Figure 4: Sprirogya, Otto Muller, 1993

Amoeba

Figure 5: An amoeba, Young, 2006

Diatoms
 Figure 6: A diatom, Muller, 2003
Volvox

Figure 7: A volvox colony, Young, 1993

Euglena

Figure 8: A euglena, Kevin, 2006

Actinosphaerium
 Figure 9: An Actinosphaerium, Ven Hook, 2007
Vorticella

Figure 10: A Vorticella, Muller, 2006

Stentor

Figure 8: A Stentor, Young, 1996

Desmid
 Figure 9: A Desmid, Van Den Hook, 1995
Paramecium

Figure 10: Paramecium, Otto Muller, 1773

3. Have you ever been swimming in a lake or pond and accidentally swallowed some
water? What are your thoughts on the possibility of having ingested some of these
creatures? (1 pt)
Ans: Accidently ingesting a pond’s water might increase the vulnerability of a person to
get diarrhea because it contains pathogenic protest parasites that might cause the
infection of stomach and intestines.