Viewing #1

In our last class, we built our aquariums with microorganisms. We properly labeled them with colored stickers to keep track of what table and group we were in. We started off by coating the bottom of the aquarium with a little dirt, and then filled the rest up with water until about 3/4 full. I chose water from the Holston River, which feeds into the TN River. After putting a variety of plants in my aquarium, I was able to view the newly constructed aquarium under a microscope. I viewed many single celled organisms. Some were small and round, while others were longer and skinnier. Almost all of them had some sort of movement; however, some were much faster than others. A couple of them looked as if they were eating. All of them were found close to the plants, moving from one to another. I saw around half a dozen different types of organisms, and no dead ones at the bottom. I am looking forward to next viewing session to see if they have reproduced.