Lab 1
The Scientific Method, the Metric System, and
Scientific Notation
Description of the Lab
Introduce the scientific method and use it to investigate Volvox response to
Laboratory Materials and Equipment for Student Use
Materials and Equipment
Per
Student
Per Pair of
Students
Per Lab
Group
Per
Room
Green, red, and blue bulbs
Plastic pipettes
1
Fresh live materials
Culture of Volvox (available from
most biological supply houses)
1
3.5% salt water
Reagents
1 liter
Lab 1
2
Preparation of Laboratory Materials and Reagents
Reagents
3.5% NaCl solution
Liquid Fertilizer
1. Mix according to directions on package
Outline of Investigation
1. The Scientific Method: Response of Green Algae to Stimuli
Materials needed:
• Culture of Volvox
• Plastic pipettes (disposable, for transferring Volvox)
• Filtered pond, stream, or lake water
• Experimental chambers (flat, long, shallow plastic dishes or troughs)
2. The metric system
3. Scientific notation
A. Problem sets
Student provided calculator
Answers to Questions in Lab 1
There might be small variations between set-up group to group and variations in the way
students quantify the responses of the Volvox.
Exercise 1 – Response of Green Algae to Stimuli
Exercises 2 – Metric Conversion Problems
1. 0.75 mm
2. 11.02 km
Exercise 3 – Scientific Notation Problems
Express in Scientific notation
1. 7.56 x 10-4
Express numerically
1. 0.00000798
Exercises 4 – Experience with Metric Measures