• Using a dichotomous key to identify and organize living things.
• The use of a compound microscope.
• preparing organisms for observation (i.e. wet mounts).
• distinguish major differences (structural and functional) between cell types.
• identifying some cell organelles from different organisms (e.g., amoeba, paramecium, and onion).
• Note that "membranous organelles" means internal membrane bound components IN the cell (e.g. chloroplasts, mitochondria, and nucleus)

Helpful readings (in the Discover Biology textbook):
Chapter 2:18-24, 26-28, and Chapter 3: 36-61.

What key features do eukaryotes have that prokaryotes do not?

In order to identify the taxon to which an organism belongs quickly and easily, biologists use a "decision tree" called a ______________?

Amoeba, Volvox, and Paramecium are all members of what Kingdom?

The structure an amoeba uses to move and capture prey is called what?

What is something that plant cells have that animal cells lack?

What is the major difference between Elodea and Allium?

What Kingdom is Penicillium in?

What are the numerous green blobs in Elodea called?  What is their primary function?

• Click on the picture to use a dichotomous tree in identifying tree species (from Oregon State University).
• Play the game "twenty questions" with your friends.  If you limit the answers to yes/no questions, this is using a dichotomous key!

• Visit Dr. Stevenson's site at Miami University to sharpen your skill in identifying microscope parts.
• Click on the microscope to read about the history of the light microscope (from Thomas E. Jones at the University of Tennessee).
• Are you interested in making a compound microscope for only one dollar!  Visit  to find out how.

World of Protists- A great page with over 19,000 images of protists, a few images of bacteria, and a few microscopic animal pics.

Or click on the links below for direct access to some organisms we looked at in lab:

• Amoeba pics
• Paramecium pics
• Euglena pics
• Amoeba eating movie 1
• Amoeba eating movie 2

Molecular Expressions- Pond Life-This site will give you a hand identifying the organisms that live in pond water, includes great pics and discussion of the organisms.
 
 
 

• A totally interactive site...click on the plant or animal cell for a tour inside, find some neat images, or take a fun micro-world quiz!

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

• Another virtual 3-D image site of colored electron micrographs, some animations, and a few zany creations!

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

• This interactive site takes you through an onion cell experiment, also with links to other such experiments with cells.

answers to study guide:

membrane-bound nucleus and organelles.

dichotomous key

Protista

Pseuodopodia or "false feet"

chloroplast OR cell wall

Allium contains no apparent chloroplast (the root structure doesn't need them- evolution rocks!)

Fungi (pronounced FUN - JIY)

Chloroplast.  Primary function is photosynthesis.

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