MICROSCOPY LABORATORY REPORT

The quality of water is determined by a number of biological and chemical indices available in the observable sample. There are several characteristics which assist in determining the quality of a water sample, for instance, very basic observations can be made to determine the sample quality, such as odor, taste, and color. Besides, other specific qualities can be measured, such as chemical oxygen demand (COD), turbidity, and total suspended solids (TSS). This laboratory exercise was specifically interested in the species diversity and composition, productivity, stability, and physiological condition of indigenous population of aquatic organisms.

The immense communities of microorganisms present in water are very essential in evaluating the consequences of pollutants in water and therefore, it is important to think of them as biological indicators. Application of these microorganisms in determining the quality of water is founded on the fact that each and every species encompasses a certain array of chemical and physical conditions in which it can survive. A number of organisms are known to survive under a wide range of conditions and thus, are tolerant to pollution, whereas others are highly sensitive to any changes in conditions and cannot tolerate polluted environment. 

Objective 
The purpose of this laboratory exercise was to qualitatively examine a water sample from a nearby fresh water pond. Biological examination of several species present in the water sample permitted comment on the final findings.

Plasmodium vivax was observed at 400X Malaria is a terrible as well as distressing parasitic disease, transmitted via the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. The disease is major problem to sub tropical and tropical areas, such as Asia, North Africa, South Pacific, Middle East, and North and South America. P. vivax is the most common malaria species. Other species of human malaria include P. falciparum, P. ovale, and P. malariae. 

Aggregate Peretthecia was observed at 40X a perithecial is described as Pleomorphic ascomyceteus fungus from early Devonian Rhynie chert. It occurs in the cortex just under the epidermis of rhizomes and aerial stems of a vascular plant Asteroxylon. Perithecia have a short ostilate neck which extends into the host plants substomatal chambers. The inner surface of ostiole is always lined by the periphyses. The wall of ascocarp is multi-layered and formed of septate hyphae, extending from inner surface are elongate asci which are interspersed with a delicate paraphyses. Asci appear unitunicate and have up to 16 uniseriate biseriate, smooth ascospores. The method of liberation of ascospore is unknown, but the tip of ascus is mainly characterized by a narrow, slightly elevated circular collar. The ascospores appear one to five celled and germination process takes place from one end of the spore.

Plasmodium malariae was observed at 40X Genus Plasmodium is liable for human malaria and is among the most studied genera of parasites in the world. In spite of extensive researches on probable control methods, its infection in human beings continues to escalate, especially in sub tropical and tropical areas. Today, it is estimated that 500 million persons are infected, with more than one million dying annually. As earlier indicated, there are four plasmodium species that cause human malaria.

Phytophthora infestans was observed at 400X This is the most disastrous pathogen of potatoes as well as a model organism for oomycetes. P. infestans is distinct lineage fungus-like eukaryotes which is related to organisms, such as diatoms and brown algae. The organism has had an adverse consequence on the history of the human being, leading to both famine and population displacement. To this moment, P. infestans causes a destructive disease of potatoes, thereby affecting the world agriculture. Water sample was observed at 400X The sketch for water was as follows. However, the finding never classified to a particular known bacteria.

This laboratory experiment was very essential as it allowed familiarization with the compact microscope and microscopically examined algal species present in the water sample. These algal species as mentioned in the introduction serve as biological indicators by identifying the diversity and composition of the aquatic microorganisms present. However, some imperative information about the water sample obtained was not inferred. 

The microorganisms species present in the water sample were compared to one provided in the classroom which was not identified.  Since the type of algae was unknown, it was impossible to determine whether this algae species was intolerant to pollutants. Species identification is very important because it assists in determining whether a microorganism is tolerant or intolerant to pollutants. It as well allows analysis of water quality. For instance, audouinella, diatoma, and oedogonium were found in laboratory experiment to be intolerant to pollutants. Therefore, they present in the water sample is a clear indication that the water was most probably not completely contaminated, since they were able to survive.

Finally, just like any laboratory experiment, errors and mistakes are hard to avoid, the major error for this laboratory experiment could have been misinterpretation of algae species. There are several microorganisms encompassing similarities in physical and biological characteristics and thus, it takes an experienced biologist or dissimilar methods of determination to verify the identity of the observed algae.

The quality of surface water (lakes, rivers, streams, seas, and estuaries) influences not just the aquatic ecosystem, but whether water can safely be utilized for human activities, such as agriculture, drinking, or reaction as well (Laboratory Two, 2009). The microscopic method was therefore important in determining the algal species present in water. It was discovered that the nearby pond contained water that was not fully contaminated as some species intolerant to pollutants could survive.