This experiment allows you to see protozoa, tiny-single celled organisms, in your compound microscope. While I can go in my backyard and find a lot of interesting pond scum and dead insects, I realize that not everybody has a thriving ecosystem on hand, especially if you live in a city.
I am going to show you how to grow a protozoa habitat that you can keep in a window for months (or longer!) using a couple of simple ingredients.
Once you have a protist farm is up and running, you’ll be able to view a sample with your compound microscope. If you don’t know how to prepare a wet mount or a heat fix, you’ll want to review the microscope lessons here.
Protozoa are protists with animal-like behaviors. Protists live in almost any liquid water environment. Some protists are vital to the ecosystem while others are deadly.
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It is normal for there to be an odor. If the smell is too bad, you can try again with less yeast. But, be sure to check for protozoa before you start over!
We are about a week in and there is a VERY strong, unpleasant odor. Is that normal or should we start over?
There may have still been chlorine in your water. Try leaving your water in a location that receives sunlight. The sunlight helps to break down chlorine. Try leaving the glass out for a couple days instead of just 24 hours. Also, protozoa can be difficult to see. Try doing a heat fix or using stain, which will help you see them.
We are a month in and we do not see any protozoa. What might I be doing wrong ?
This is my third day, and I still haven’t seen any protozoa. Does salt and softened water kill protozoa-keep it from growing? We don’t have chlorinated water, so I didn’t let the water sit for 24 hours. Thanks!