Exercise 5: Chemolithotrophy: Winogradsky Columns Flashcards
How old are Bacteria and Archaea?
At least 3.5 billion years.
What are the most ancient forms of life? (2)
- Bacteria
- Archaea
How long were Bacteria and Archaea the only living things on Earth?
2 billion years.
What are some examples of microbial metabolic mechanisms? (4)
- Oxygenic photoautotrophy
- anoxygenic photoautotrophy
- chemoautotrophy
- photoheterotrophy
What role do microorganisms play in Earth’s ecosystem?
They cycle elements to make the planet habitable.
Where can microorganisms be found? (3)
- Hydrothermal vents
- acidic stomach lining;
- and other ecological niches.
A device for constructing a stratified microbial ecosystem.
Winogradsky column
How long does it take to complete the Winogradsky column activity?
6 to 8 weeks.
How often do you need to record observations for the Winogradsky column?
Once a week.
How much time does it take to set up the Winogradsky column experiment?
A couple of hours.
What is the main container used for a Winogradsky column?
4 clear 16-oz. plastic bottles.
In the activity, we used 1.5L plastic bottles
- What is used to dig a sediment sample?
- How much sediment is needed for the activity?
- trowel
- 6–10 cups.
- What is used as a carbon source in the experiment?
- What is the sulfur source in the experiment?
- Shredded newspaper
- Raw egg yolk
Where should the Winogradsky columns be placed?
In a well-lit location, undisturbed for 6–8 weeks.
Who developed the concept of Winogradsky columns?
Sergei Winogradsky