"The Mystery of Lyle and Louise"

Cellular slime mold. Demonstrates amoeboid state, pseudoplasmodial state, and fruiting body, or sorocarp.

The nocturnal hermit crab uses “borrowed” shells to protect its relatively soft body, changing shells as it grows larger.

Usually found in freshwater and mosses, this organism has a hard umbrella shaped shell or "test", out of which finger-like pseudopodia project.

Members of the Pelomyxa genus look very much like Amoeba. Pelomyxa, however, have many nuclei, whereas Amoeba have only one.

Black Planaria are a flatworm commonly used in science fair projects. They do not bite and move very slowly, making them easy for young students to observe.

This organism is commonly isolated in soil and produces antibiotics such as bacitracin, subtilisin, and mycobacillin.

This species of Rhodospirillum is commonly isolated from stagnant water and mud. It is especially interesting because it produces a red pigment and is also capable of photosynthesis.

This organism is commonly isolated from soil, and depending upon the temperature of its environment, can produce a distinctive red pigment.

Daphnia are a widely studied small crustacean used for a number of physiology studies including the effects of drugs on heartbeat and temperature on metabolism.

This organism is easily recognized by its trumpet-shape, and can commonly be found in freshwater ponds and streams. It reproduces by budding.

Study the Rotifera under your microscope to discover the variety of structures among them. Subculture them in Alfalfa or Hay medium to increase your supply. Species may vary based on availability.

This organism is often times isolated from food; in large amounts it can cause food poisoning

This organism is a common environmental isolate, and can be found in soil as well as in industrial settings.

Oscillatoria is a genus of filamentous green algae that moves by sliding filaments back and forth against each other.

Paramecium bursaria is a ciliate that contains mutualistic algae called Zoochlorella. The algae lives in the cytoplasma of the Paramecium and provides it with food. Paramecium bursaria grows in Dilute Alfalfa Medium (Hay Medium) or Soil Water Medium. Requires light for growth.

Paramecium multimicronucleatumis one of the largest species of Paramecium. This ciliate contains a single macronucleus and four or more micronuclei. Grows in Dilute Alfalfa medium (Hay Medium).