This lab is modified from the isopod lab from Champaign Unit #4 Schools, Centennial High School Science department, Champaign, Illinois.   We thank them for their hard work.
 


 

Work in groups of two or three.

Observe the activities of several isopods for approximately 15 minutes. Make a record of what they did after placing them in the container. How can you explain their behavior after placing them in the container?

Ideas about their behavior which could be tested might include but are not limited to one or more of the following factors:

Do they prefer light or dark?

Do they prefer moisture or dryness?

What is their preference for food?

Examine their body from both the ventral and dorsal aspects. What do the terms dorsal and ventral mean? Does it have an anterior and posterior end? What are the various appendages on the body? What function do the various appendages serve? Does the organism breathe? If so, how does it obtain oxygen? Does it have a mouth?

Prepare a drawing showing the organism from the dorsal view. This drawing is to be made directly from one of your specimens. A stereomicroscope will help in viewing some of the small structures. 
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The formal report you generate from this should include a problem statement, a hypothesis in reference to their behavior(s) in the container, a list of materials, a procedure, data/results, and a conclusion.   It is expected that each of these will be well developed in your report.

Your first lab will include a complete description of the body form of the isopod. The answers to the questions contained in the description in the previous paragraphs should be included in your conclusion.  Your drawings will be a part of the data of this report.