Association for Biology Laboratory Education

Studies in Protozoan Population Ecology
 

Jon C. Glase and Melvin C. Zimmerman

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 1992, Volume 13

Abstract

This 2-week investigative laboratory introduces students to the basic mathematical models describing exponential and logistic growth in populations of organisms. They consider two- species interactions, such as predation and competition, that may effect population growth. Student groups set up cultures of protistans in order to collect data on population growth and design and conduct an investigation of competition, predator-prey interactions, or some other factor that may limit growth of these organisms. These studies are completed during the second week and groups share their results and conclusions with the class.

Keywords:  predation, population, protozoa, competition

University of Wyoming, Laramie (1991)