Lab #1 - Biosciweb.net

Introduction to the Laboratory, Microscopy & Evolution 1.1
Lab #1 - Biological Sciences 102 – Animal Biology
Welcome to the Biological Sciences 102 – Animal Biology Laboratory
at Santa Barbara City College!
We are very fortunate at SBCC to have access to a diverse array of many live and preserved
animals, models, computers and other laboratory equipment to assist you in a comprehensive,
hands-on process of learning zoology. Your instructor will familiarize you with the room,
supplies available and policies and procedures that you will follow. Today’s lab is primarily
dedicated to getting to know one another and the lab room and reviewing some concepts you
should recall from Biology 101, Plant Biology or other biology courses. Your Professor, the Lab
Technician and Student Lab Assistants all work together as a team in order to provide you with
the highest quality labs possible.
The required lab manual for the course is Biology 102 - Animal Biology - Laboratory
Procedures & Techniques to purchase from the bookstore (to go in a 3 ring binder). The
labs in this required lab manual are also available for download from the course website.
There is an optional, but highly recommended additional lab manual for the course with
excellent photographs of animals, dissections and diagrams available at the bookstore or
online from many sources. This supplemental lab manual is A Photographic Atlas for
the Zoology Laboratory, Van De Graaf and Crawley, 6th ed. or similar.
‣ You will be given a blank 3 x 5 index card. Please write your name in large block
writing on one side of this card and leave it in front of you so that your instructor
can learn all of your names. Please leave this card on the lab bench at the end of lab.
‣ Please carefully read the memo on page 2 of this lab from the Laboratory Technician
for Animal Biology regarding lab policies, procedures and most importantly laboratory
CLEAN-UP at the end of each lab.
‣ Note that laboratory quizzes will be based on information covered in previous
laboratories, usually the previous one or two lab periods. Each lab assignment will be
due at the following lab meeting so that you can study for the quizzes.
‣ In today’s lab we will review basic microscopy and principles of evolution as these are
foundations of the course for the entire semester. We will also watch a one hour
movie today at the end of lab entitled “Why Sex” about the evolution and
importance of sexual reproduction in animals.
Your laboratory studies will form the foundation of your knowledge of the different
adaptations that have evolved in each of the major animal phyla, as well as animal
taxonomy and phylogenetics. This will provide a framework for our more integrated
discussions of these characteristics as they relate to animal ecology, evolution,
physiology and behavior in lecture.

Introduction to the Laboratory, Microscopy & Evolution 1.2
Lab #1 - Biological Sciences 102 – Animal Biology
Dear Biology 102 Students – PLEASE READ THIS PAGE CAREFULLY!
With back-to-back labs that require a great deal of set-up and clean-up, there is simply
insufficient time for the Lab Technician or Student Lab Assistants to take care of everything
that the lab uses. Thus, in order to create a safe, harmonious, learning-conducive atmosphere
and laboratory, I must ask that you maintain supplies and work areas in as clean a condition
as possible. Specifically, I request that you keep in mind the following issues the first day of
lab, and please continue to do so throughout the semester:
1) STUDENT TRAYS
a. Please know that the trays may NOT always be put out prior to lab – there simply won’t
always be the time, and they are not always needed for the entire lab period. However, they
will always be stocked and available in their designated locations.
b. It is very important that you leave the trays in a clean/orderly fashion when you are
finished with them. By this, I mean that you should discard any used items (disposable
pipettes, coverslips, tissues, etc.) and replace the items into their containers (i.e. unused
slides into the boxes, dropper bottles back into the bins, etc.). Any chemical bottles used
should have their outsides wiped off and their droppers/caps replaced carefully and
completely. I have placed containers for used microscope slides on each table, and there
are sharps containers clearly marked in the room. I will always re-stock used items as
needed, but I can’t accomplish everything I need to do if I have to pick up trash and sort
through every item on each tray to find the used/unused things. In particular, please know
that the microscope slides and coverslips are expensive! Having them dumped on the
tables (or floor!) is not only dangerous, but very costly.
c. Wash and dry all microscope slides, dissecting trays and dissecting equipment. DO
NOT THROW AWAY MICROSCOPE SLIDES, ONLY COVERSLIPS!
d. Coverslips are not kept, they and other glass go in the GLASS WASTE CONTAINER
ONLY!
e. Scalpel blades, razor blades and other SHARPS GO IN THE METAL SHARPS WASTE
ONLY!
2) MICROSCOPES
a. When they are in use on the student tables (i.e. not scopes that I’ve set-up along the back
counters), please make sure that you do the following prior to leaving lab:
‣ Unplug and coil cords – both on the scopes and on lights
‣ Remove all slides/specimens from the stages
‣ Be sure that the microscope and lenses are clean – lens cleaner and lens
paper ONLY! – no use of tissues on any microscope lenses!
‣ Turn off microscope/dissecting scope lights
b. You are responsible for taking out and replacing the microscopes from their respective
cupboards – gently and carefully!
3) LAB BENCHTOPS
a. Please be sure that you clear away your trash as you leave (i.e. water bottles, Kleenex,
notebook paper, etc.). This will make the take-down and set up of the next lab much
quicker. Be sure animal waste goes in the proper container.
b. Any “mess” as a result of that lab’s activities needs to be wiped down and cleaned up.
For example, any time chemicals are used, students should wipe down tables and counters
after they have completed the exercise. Handtowels and paper towels will be available.
As Biology Major students you are responsible for these aspects of lab clean-up. I can
make sure that everything else is as it should be. Otherwise, I’m going to run into some
time problems that will inhibit my abilities to generate the types of labs you deserve.
Thank you for your attentiveness and cooperation.
BIO 102 STUDENTS: You WILL follow these directions. Anyone who does not,
particularly on a regular basis, will be dropped from the course for unprofessional
conduct. Thanks for your cooperation, Blake

Introduction to the Laboratory, Microscopy & Evolution 1.3
Lab #1 - Biological Sciences 102 – Animal Biology
The Microscope
Components of the Binocular Compound Microscope
• As directed by your lab instructor, obtain a compound microscope from the cabinet, being
sure to hold the microscope by the arm and the base.
• Familiarize yourself with the parts of the microscope by comparing it to the illustration
below and your instructor’s description.
OCULAR LENS
(EYEPIECE)
VIEWING TUBE
ARM
NOSE
SLIDE CALIPERS
ON/OFF SWITCH
DIMMER SWITCH
OBJECTIVE LENS
COARSE FOCUS
ADJUSTMENT KNOB
STAGE
BASE
FINE FOCUS
ADJUSTMENT KNOB
CONDENSER LENS &
IRIS DIAPHRAGM
• You may wish to add additional labels to the above diagram as your instructor
describes the microscope.
• Note: the magnification power of each individual objective lens is written on the
side of each objective lens (often in colored lettering).
• Typical objective lens magnification powers are: 4X, 10X and 40X.

Introduction to the Laboratory, Microscopy & Evolution 1.4
Lab #1 - Biological Sciences 102 – Animal Biology
Learning to Focus the Microscope
Always be aware of these points before beginning to focus the microscope on a specimen:
• Always lower the stage to its lowest position before placing a slide on the stage
and start focusing with the stage in its lowest position
• Begin by focusing with the lowest power objective (4X) before changing to a higher
power objective
• Only use the coarse adjustment knob to focus when using the lowest power
objective (4X)
• When using the 10X or 40X objectives, use the coarse focus very carefully and
then the fine focus adjustment knob to focus
• When finished viewing a specimen: be sure that you REMOVE THE SLIDE, be sure
the lens is clean (lens paper ONLY!) and coil the cord back up if you are returning
the microscope to the cabinet.
1. Plug in the microscope. Turn on the light source and adjust to mid-range intensity.
2. Put the stage at its lowest position.
3. Place a microscope slide with your specimen on the stage and clip it into place in the
calipers and center the specimen directly under the light source. Be sure you can move
the slide around the stage using the knobs below the stage. Use these knobs, not your
fingers to move the slide.
4. Rotate the low power objective (4X) into place. Be sure it clicks in place. Look through
the objective lenses and be sure that light is shining up through them.
5. Using the coarse focus, raise the stage to its highest point.
6. Adjust the distance between the ocular lenses for your interocular distance (space
between your eyes). Be careful not to get your eyes too close to the ocular lenses (if you
see hairs in the field of view, you are too close). You should see a single circle of the light
(this is the field of view).
7. While looking through both of the ocular lenses, slowly lower the stage using the coarse
focus and then the fine focus until the image becomes sharp.
8. Without moving the focus knobs or stage, rotate the 10X objective into place. (If you
see nothing then you may need to go back to 4X and center the specimen in the field of view)
9. Refocus the specimen using the fine focus. (The objective lenses are parfocal and thus
only minor adjustments are required to refocus when moving from one objective lens to
another.)
10. Fully close the iris diaphragm. Slowly open it until you obtain a light intensity that is
comfortable for your eyes. Note, adjustment of the iris diaphragm can result in an increase or
decrease in contrast and depth of field. Very often a better result and greater contrast occurs
when the light intensity is decreased (by closing down the iris diaphragm). Light intensity
can be adjusted using the light source knob, the iris diaphragm and/or the condenser
lens. The condenser lens can be adjusted using the knob below the stage.
11. Rotate the high-dry power objective (40X) into place and slowly refocus using the fine
focus. Note, be sure to avoid large movements of the stage while the 40X lens is in
position. This lens is very close to the slide. Both lens and slide can be damaged if
allowed to contact each other.

Introduction to the Laboratory, Microscopy & Evolution 1.5
Lab #1 - Biological Sciences 102 – Animal Biology
LAB PROCEDURE
NAME:
LAB SCORE:
Each lab will have a portion that you will retain with information to study and review
and a portion that will be submitted at the beginning of the next laboratory period.
For this lab, you will turn in page 5 through page 9 of this lab at the beginning of our
next lab meeting.
Always be sure to put your name on each lab when you turn them in for grading.
Looking at your microscope, answer the questions below.
Magnification
What is the magnification power of . . .
1. the ocular lens (eyepiece)
2. the low power objective
3. the high power objective
4. the high dry objective
5. What is an oil immersion objective
(Your microscopes lack an oil immersion lens as we will not need them for this class)
The total magnification of a microscope is the magnification of the ocular lens multiplied
by the magnification of the objective lens being used.
6. What is the total magnification when the low power objective is in place
7. What is the total magnification when the high dry objective is in place
8. What is the relationship between magnification and diameter of the field of view (with
increasing magnification, what happens to the size of the field of view)
• The ability to effectively use a microscope and understand the principle of
microscopy is a required student learning outcome for this course. Your
instructor will indicate to you where to find an online homework assignment on
fundamental aspects of optics, the physics of light and color and various
microscopic techniques. This required assignment is due on the date indicated by
your instructor.
Microscopic Animals
A few different types of protists and human muscle tissue on prepared slides are available for
observation with the microscope. On the following pages, make notes on method of motility,
size, color, name of the organism and indicate the objective lens you used for magnification.
For one slide only use the highest power objective possible while keeping the organism
in the field of view. Draw and label as much detail as possible.
Our next lab will be a more thorough review of living protozoa and will help answer many
questions you may have. This lab is designed to be sure you can work the microscope
from a technical perspective.
Answer the questions below each drawing to the best of your ability in consultation with
your classmates, the textbook and/or the Internet. We will review these later in the lab.

Introduction to the Laboratory, Microscopy & Evolution 1.6
Lab #1 - Biological Sciences 102 – Animal Biology
PROTIST (PROTOZOA) OR ANIMAL TISSUE SPECIMEN
Species/Common Name of Organism:
Multicellular or Unicellular:
Prokaryote or Eukaryote:
Kingdom:
Type of Locomotion (how does it move around):
Objective lens used:
Other Notes:

Introduction to the Laboratory, Microscopy & Evolution 1.7
Lab #1 - Biological Sciences 102 – Animal Biology
Review: Principles of Evolution
Evolution is the key scientific theory that explains the diversity and history of life on earth.
Evolution will be a critical theme for the course. With the aid of one of the lab computers, the
Internet, your textbook, classmates and instructor, define the following terms or answer the
question. You will not have time to complete these answers before the movie and you
will need to complete them as homework before the next lab.
You will turn these in at the next lab.
Your instructor will briefly review these concepts with you before we start the movie. We will
be discussing this topic in detail throughout the duration of the course.
Define the following terms regarding biological evolution:
EVOLUTION =
MICROEVOLUTION =
MACROEVOLUTION =
MASS EXTINCTION =

Introduction to the Laboratory, Microscopy & Evolution 1.8
Lab #1 - Biological Sciences 102 – Animal Biology
NATURAL SELECTION =
Answer the following questions:
WHO WAS CHARLES DARWIN AND WHAT WAS HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THE
THEORY OF EVOLUTION
DURING WHAT YEARS DID DARWIN DEVELOP HIS THEORY OF EVOLUTION BY
NATURAL SELECTION
DURING WHAT YEARS DID DARWIN SAIL ON THE H.M.S. BEAGLE
WHAT ISLAND ARCHIPELAGO IN PARTICULAR DID THE BEAGLE EXPLORE THAT
PROVIDED SIGNIFICANT DATA FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF DARWIN’S THEORY
LIST ONE PIECE OF EVIDENCE FOR EVOLUTION BY NATURAL SELECTION FROM
DARWIN’S WORK.

Introduction to the Laboratory, Microscopy & Evolution 1.9
Lab #1 - Biological Sciences 102 – Animal Biology
WHO WAS ALFRED RUSSELL WALLACE AND WHAT WAS HIS CONTRIBUTION TO
THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION
WHO WAS JEAN BAPTISTE DE LAMARCK AND WHAT WAS HIS CONTRIBUTION TO
THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION
HOW DID LAMARCK’S THEORY OF EVOLUTION DIFFER FROM THAT OF DARWIN
WHY IS SEXUAL REPRODUCTION IMPORTANT TO THE PROCESS OF ANIMAL
EVOLUTION

Introduction to the Laboratory, Microscopy & Evolution 1.10
Lab #1 - Biological Sciences 102 – Animal Biology
EXPLORE AND LEARN AT HOME: THE PBS: EVOLUTION WEBSITE
1. Peruse and explore the information at the excellent PBS: Evolution website at:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/index.html
2. You must review the seven information links on this page at the PBS: Evolution site:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/educators/lessons/index.html
You need not complete and turn in any of the lessons or assignments, but it is useful to
explore and read the lessons.
3. Also review the frequently asked questions about evolution at:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/faq/
LABORATORY NOTES:
Evolution of the Horse Foot