MC

6th Grade

Standard: 05

Objective:  01.  Observe and summarize information about microorganisms.

ILO:

 

 

Which statement is true of ALL bacteria?

            a.  All bacteria are single-celled organisms.

            b.  All bacteria are producers.

            c.  All bacteria have a cell with a nucleus.

            d.  All bacteria live in water.

 

Correct Answer:  a

 

MC

6th Grade

Standard: 05

Objective:  01.  Observe and summarize information about microorganisms.

ILO:

 

 

Which of the following correctly describes the size of fungi compared to the size of bacteria?

            a.  Fungi are larger.

            b.  Bacteria are larger.

            c.  They are about the same size.

            d.  They are the same size but different shapes.

 

Correct Answer:  a

 

MC

6th Grade

Standard: 05

Objective:  01.  Observe and summarize information about microorganisms.

ILO:

 

 

What can many protozoa do that other microorganisms cannot do?

            a.  Speed the decay of dead organisms.

            b.  Depend on other organisms for food.

            c.  Produce waste products harmful to people.

            d.  Move by themselves.

 

Correct Answer:  d

 

 

MC

6th Grade

Standard: 05

Objective:  01.  Observe and summarize information about microorganisms.

ILO:

 

 

You are looking at a pond water sample for examples of protozoa and algae.  What is the best way to tell the difference between protozoa and algae?

a.  Protozoa are larger than algae.

b.  Protozoa move and algae do not.

c.  Protozoa are not green while algae are.

d.  Protozoa have flagella and algae do not.

 

Correct Answer:  c

All algae have chlorophyll while no protozoa have chlorophyll.  Size, movement, and

flagella occur in both groups.

 

MC

6th Grade

Standard: 05

Objective:  01.  Observe and summarize information about microorganisms.

ILO:

 

 

Which of the following best describes where microorganisms live?

            a.  underwater

            b.  in warm, humid places

            c.  nearly everywhere

            d.  sunny, dry areas

 

Correct Answer:  c

 

MC

6th Grade

Standard: 05

Objective:  01.  Observe and summarize information about microorganisms.

ILO:

 

 

Which statement about bacteria and humans is not true?

            a.  Bacteria and humans need food for energy.

            b.  Bacteria and humans reproduce.

            c.  Bacteria and humans produce waste materials.

            d.  Bacteria and humans are composed of many cells.

 

Correct Answer:  d

 

 

I

6th Grade

Standard: 05

Objective:  01.  Observe and summarize information about microorganisms.

ILO:

 

 

Raquel placed a jar of water containing Euglena, a green plant-like protist, in a sunny window.  She placed a black, opaque covering over one half of the jar.

 

1.  What do you think she will observe when she returns in one hour to observe water samples with a microscope?

            a.  She will find more Euglena in the side of the jar in the light.

            b.  She will find more Euglena in the side of the jar in the dark.

            c.  She will find Euglena equally throughout the jar.

            d.  She will find more Euglena at the bottom of the jar.

 

2.  Explain your choice.

 

 

Correct Answers:

            1.  a

2.  Sample Answer:  Euglena is a ñgreen, plant-like protist,î therefore we know it makes its own food and needs light as the source of energy to do this.

 

I

6th Grade

Standard: 05

Objective:  01.  Observe and summarize information about microorganisms.

ILO:

 

 

Use this drawing of a paramecium to answer the next two questions.

1.  What is the parameciumÍs body composed of?

            a.  thousands of cells

            b.  four cells

            c.  one cell and its parts

            d.  several body organ systems

2.  What is the function of the cilia marked by ñXî?

            a.  to move the paramecium

            b.  to take in water and remove wastes

            c.  to control cell division

            d.  to make food from sunshine and air

 

Correct Answers:

            1.  c

            2.  a

 

I

6th Grade

Standard: 05

Objective:  01.  Observe and summarize information about microorganisms.

ILO:

 

 

Study the following drawings and then match the organism to its characteristic.  Answers may be used once more than once or not at all.

 

Organism                   Characteristic

_____  1.  bacteria                   a.  structures for movement

_____  2.  fungi                       b.  simplest form

_____  3.  algae                       c.  anchored in one spot

_____  4.  protozoan               d.  observable nucleus

                                                e.  some forms can be seen with our eyes only

                                                f.  green in color

                                                g.  decomposer

                                                h.  producer

                                                i.  single-celled

 

Correct Answers:

            1.  b, i

            2.  g, e, c

            3.  h, f

            4.  a, g

 

 

P

6th Grade

Standard: 05

Objective:  01.  Observe and summarize information about microorganisms.

ILO:

 

 

Fill in the chart with information about each microorganism.

 

Bacteria

Fungus

Protozoan

Algae

Approximate size, color, shape

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food source

 

 

 

 

 

 

Environment they live in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Correct Answers:

 

Bacteria

Fungus

Protozoan

Algae

Approximate size, color, shape

Smallest, invisible to eye, smooth

Some large and visible, some small, some plant-like

Small, hairy

Some large, some small, green

Food source

Other organisms, some make their own food (photosynthetic)

Other organisms, rotting things

Other organisms, some are photosynthetic

Make their own food (photosynthetic)

Environment they live in

Warm, moist, near other organisms

Moist, on land

Water

Water

 

 

 

P

6th Grade

Standard: 05

Objective:  01.  Observe and summarize information about microorganisms.

ILO:

 

 

The diameter of this drawing of a Streptococcus bacterium is about 100,000 times larger than the actual bacterium.  You could line up about 100,000 bacteria side by side on the diameter line drawn here.  Therefore, the scale is 1 to 100,000.

 

1.  Measure and record the diameter.

 

2.  Calculate, draw, and cut out a circle model that would represent a scale of 1:100,000.

 

3.  Calculate, draw, and cut out a circle model that would represent a scale of 1:10,000.

 

4.  Calculate the diameter of a circle model that would represent a scale of 1:10,000,000.  Cut a string to represent this diameter.

 

5.  How much string would we need to represent a model with a scale of 1:1,000,000,000.

 

Correct Answers:

            1.  75m or 7.5cm or 0.75dm or 0.075m

            2.  circle with 75cm diameter

            3.  circle with 7.5mm/0.75cm diameter

            4.  circle with 7.5m diameter

            5.  diameter 75m

P

6th Grade

Standard: 05

Objective:  01.  Observe and summarize information about microorganisms.

ILO:

 

 

Draw a large Venn diagram labeled like the sample below.

Write at least one characteristic in each category.

 

Possible Answers:

            Algae:  contain chlorophyll/chloroplasts

                        are producers

Protozoa:  no chlorophyll/chloroplasts

                                 not producers

            Both:  protist

                       nucleus in cell

 

 

P

6th Grade

Standard: 05

Objective:  01.  Observe and summarize information about microorganisms.

ILO:

 

 

Pond Water

 

Activity Description:

Students will grow a pond water culture and observe how it changes over time.

 

Materials Needed:

            Glass jar

            Hay/tap water mixture or pond water with hay

            Microscopes capable of 40X magnification

            Hand lenses

            Slides

            Cover slips

            Medicine droppers

 

Prior to Assessment:

Students should know how to use a microscope and make a slide.  They should be familiar with what a protozoan is and what some of their structures are.

 

Time Needed:

a 50 minute period followed by several 30 minute periods for follow-up observations.

 

Procedure:

1.  Students should add water to a small ample of hay in their jar.  If tap water is used, it should sit overnight to remove any chlorine.

2.  Students should start a lab write up including title, materials, hypothesis (If we observe the jar for several days then ______________________ will happen.) and a notebook for observations.

3.  Students should make an observation of what their jars look like and smell like.  They should view a slide under the microscope.  They probably will not see any protozoa on this day.  It takes several days for them to reproduce into numbers large enough to be easily found.

4.  Wait a couple of days and have students take additional observations.  They should date their observations and organize them in a neat way.  It will help students to focus their microscopes if they are encouraged to place a bit of hay on the side.  The protozoa will be found near the hay.

5.  Continue to take observations over a ten-day period.  The water will begin to smell, turn cloudy and protozoa should become very numerous.  Students should draw all the different types they see.

 

 

 

 

 

6.  At the end of the experiment, students could answer questions such as:

            a.  What changes did you observe in your jar?

            b.  What happened to the number and kind of protozoa you saw as time went by?

                        The number increased Æ new kinds appeared.

            c.  What may have been creating the smell in the jar?

                        Waste products from the protozoa and decay of the hay.

            d.  Why were the protozoa found near the hay?

                        That is what they eat.

            e.  Would you want to drink the pond water?  Why or why not?

                        No, it might make you sick.

7.  Students should write a conclusion to summarize their experiment.

 

Scoring Guide:

Student includes all steps of lab write-up.                                           7 points

Observations neatly and accurately made for at least 5 days.               10 points

Questions answered correctly.                                                 5 points

Conclusion is specific and complete.                                                   3 points

 

 

P

6th Grade

Standard: 05

Objective:  01.  Observe and summarize information about microorganisms.

ILO:

 

 

Activity Description: 

Students will design their own experiment with microorganisms. 

 

Materials Needed: 

Students will need different materials depending on the type of experiment they choose.  If they need items not found at school, they will need to bring them from home.  Suggested items include:  a variety of foods (not milk, eggs or meats), sealable plastic bags, a heat source, a dark place, a cool place, etc.

 

Prior to Assessment: 

Students should have had experience with the scientific method.  They should understand what a control is and why it is needed.  They can be given a lab write up form or you might see how much they can generate themselves.  A lab write up may include at title, research question, materials, procedure, hypothesis, data, analysis questions, and a conclusion.  Students should know that the bags should not be opened during the experiment.

 

Time Needed: 

2 fifty-minute periods, additional time for observation as needed.

 

Procedure:

 1.  Explain to students that they will be designing an experiment to test one thing (the variable) about microorganisms.  Explain which materials you can supply towards the experiment. 

2.  They could work in groups or alone depending on the amount of materials and desire of the teacher. 

3.  Allow students time to formulate a research question and hypothesis.  You can check them off on this to ensure a good start. 

Sample question:  Do microorganisms grow better in the light or the dark? 

Sample hypothesis:  If I put food in the dark then it will not grow microorganisms as fast as in the light. 

4.  Students should describe their materials needed and their procedure. 

Example:  I need two dishes with the same food and a dark and light place.  I will put the same amount of food in each dish, cover it, and place one in the light and one in the dark.

5.  Students should identify their control. 

Example:  My control is the dish in the light.

6.  Allow several days for students to make observations.  Bags should not be opened.

7.  Students should analyze the data.  Questions may be asked.

8.  A conclusion should be stated in a way to answer the question posed and decide if their hypothesis was correct or not.

 

 

Scoring Guide:

Student correctly describes each step in the lab write up                     14 pts

Data has been taken                                                                             5 pts

Analysis is complete and correct for results found                              5 pts

Conclusion answers question and summarizes hypothesis                  5 pts