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NUTRIENTS AND ALGAL GROWTH II WORKSHEET
Kaity Willis
Name: _____________________________ Lab Day/Time: _______________________
2/21 10:10
1. Use 4 different color samples to run the spectrum scanning and fill out the following graphs
and the table.
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2. How many major peaks did you observe for your green sample? If you have more than 1
peak, why is it happened?
3. Check your algae culture tubes and pick up one tube that has the strong green color. Repeat
the spectrum scanning, and fill out the graph, write down your values.
Max Abs Value
Max Wavelength
4. Calculate initial cell density.
a. Write the absorbance value of the inoculum.
b. Using Figure 12.1 in your lab manual, calculate the cell density you are starting with
in your inoculum.
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c. Now, since you know the cell density of the inoculum, calculate the initial cell
density for your experiment in each of your tubes. (Each tube should have the same
density, so you’ll only need to do one calculation.)
5. Why do you need to know the initial cell density of your cultures?
6. Fill in the 2nd column (Appearance) of the table in the worksheet page 5. Then describe the
appearance of each of your culture tubes in the appropriate column. (This information,
without interpretation, is appropriate for the Results section of your lab report.)
7. Are your descriptions in the table considered quantitative or qualitative data?
8. Figure out cell density of each tube (cells/ml).
a. Measure the absorbance of each culture, as described in the procedure for this lab and
in the spectrophotometer appendix in your lab manual. Record this in the table below.
b. Use the equation in the figure in the procedure to figure out cell density (final), and
record in the table below.
9. In the table below, calculate algal growth rate. (This is the change in cell density over time;
(final-initial cell density)/time.)
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10. Construct a graph of your results.
11. Interpret your results of both appearances and algal growth rates. (This information can be
used in the Discussion section of your lab report).
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Table 1. Results of growth of each algae culture.
Tube # Tube label or Appearance Absorbanc Final cell density Initial cell Average algal
description e at 680 nm (F) in cells/ml density (I) in growth rate in
(abs) cells/ml cells/ml/day
(same for all
tubes)
Ex. added N @ 20 mg/L greener than control 0.103 (𝑎𝑏𝑠 + 0.108) 62,100 (𝐹 − 𝐼)
= =
(2.54 𝑥 10−7 ) 𝑇
(0.103 + 0.108) (830,709 − 62,100)
= =
(2.54 𝑥 10−7 ) 7
= 830,709 = 109,801
C-1 Control 1 N/A
C-2 Control 2 N/A
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