Scribe Post, 2/15

In Class We...

• Got pages 7-10 in the UP stamped
• Reviewed and turned in pages 11-14 from the UP
• Discussed the pill bug lab
• Took notes
• Did lab #44

Homework...

• Read chapter 16 if you haven't (you should be done)
• Complete lab 44- DUE tomorrow
• Complete two of the following activities in your UP: 15, 17-18, 19, 21-26- DUE 2/17
• Continue working on Nature magazine cover- DUE 3/2

The Pill Bug Lab...

• Turn to page 51 in your unit packet to the page titled "Observation of a Living Isopod"
• As explained on this page, we will be creating a tray with two or four connecting chambers, containing separate environments, and we must observe how the pill bugs (rolly pollys) react to these environments.
  
• Our homework for this lab is to research pill bugs and prepare lab ideas by 2/22 (next Wednesday) where we will be assigned groups to set up the lab with.

In the Notes...

As a warning, we skipped a few pages and began taking notes on page 11, about fungi.

BACKGROUND:

• Fungi is an organism that rots woods, spoils foods, and infects human skin (this is why we should wear flip flops in the shower!)
• Organic materials, such as dead animals, are decomposed by fungi. Going back to the first unit, ecology, fungi are the decomposers in most environments.
• Something KEY to remember: Fungi are eukaryotes, and heterotrophs, and TYPICALLY multicellular
• People used to classify fungi as plants, which is why some of us may stumble on a question regarding whether or not fungi are heterotrophic!
• Fungi digest their foods OUTSIDE their body by secreting enzymes to digest the material before consumption.
• These enzymes are called hydrolytic enzymes (hydro=water, lytic=breaking). With these they absorb the already decomposed nutrients.
• Some fungi are parasitic (we all know anything regarding parasitism grosses me out!!!)
• These parasitic fungi absorb the nutrients from living hosts. Remember from prior units that parasites harm their hosts but DO NOT kill them.
• This parasitic fungi can also harm humans though, inflicting them with diseases such as athlete's foot and pneumonia (pneumonia can be a result of other pathogenic substances also)

Fungi: Structure and Function:

Fungi grow most successfully in moist environments.

Constructed of hyphae- small threads made of tubular walls, surrounded by plasma membranes and cytoplasm

All of the hyphae come together to form a mycelium- the massive underground feeding system of fungi. An example of the enormity of the mycelium is seen in a fungus in Oregon that measures 3.4 miles in diameter.

Another example is when you see multiple mushrooms in your yard, they are all one organism because they are connected through the unseen mycelium.

Fungal Reproduction:

• Fungi reproduce by reducing spores, which are created either sexually OR asexually. (Remember, sexual reproduction creates diversity, while asexual reproduction is an exact copy)
• Spores, in produced in the trillions, can be carried by the wind or water and, if they land in a suitable, moist environment, they can germinate (grow).

Importance?!

• Fungus is edible, helps make bread rise, assists in fermenting beer and alcohol, it helps make cheese, and most importantly it is used in the production of some antibiotics (penicillin and sulfa)

Lab #44...

This lab was taken from our lab books (pages 261-265), not the UP....

• The main focus of this activity was to...

1. Identify the parts of a mushroom (stipe, cap veil, annulus, gills)
2. Observe basidia and spores of a mushroom
3. Observe the structure of lichens

• In this lab, we did not do the microscope questions (skip 8e and 8f from part 1, and 4c in part 2)
• We began this lab with a common mushroom, and examined whether or not the veil had broken yet. This would determine whether your specimen is mature or not.
• After this, you must draw your specimen in the space provided.
• Once done, remove the cap from the stipe and examine the gills within the cap.
• Tap the head on the ground and observe any material that falls from the gills.
• After this, continue reading questions 5-7, however you do not need to complete question 8.
• Once done, you must take a lichen sample from the front desk, and analyze your sample (Don't forget to read the background information on lichens above the problems!)
• After you complete questions one and two, continue to read, however do not complete the microscope activity. The following questions (1-5) are your homework

If you have read this far, thanks for your time.

NEXT SCRIBE:

ANNA !!!