SYLLABUS - Animal Parasitology Lab. Biol 4426L

Lab Manual: None. In the past I have used Essentials of Parasitology by Dailey. If you can get a used copy of this book it will be useful. The lab exercises appear on this webpage. They must be printed and in your possession BEFORE the laboratory when they will be used. Please bring your textbook to lab each week.

Outline

Lab. 1 - Introduction - Procedures, use of microscopes, etc.

Lab. 2 - Protozoa - Flagellates

Lab. 3 - Protozoa – Amoebas, Ciliates

Lab. 4 - Protozoa –Coccidians, including Plasmodium spp.

Lab. 5 - Platyhelminthes - Digenea

Lab. 6 - Platyhelminthes – Digenea, Monogenea

Lab. 7 – Fish parasite examination (under contruction)

Lab. 8 - Platyhelminthes - - Cestodes

Lab. 9 - Platyhelminthes - - Cestodes

Lab. 10 - Nematodes

Lab. 11 – Nematodes, Acanthocephala

Lab. 12 - Arthropods

Lab. 13 - Arthropods

Lab exams will be 6:30 - 8:00 PM October 11 and December 6, 2004 in Celis 114.

Evaluation: 2 laboratory exams 75 points each (subtotal 150 points)

100 points from lab exercises and quizzes Total Laboratory points 250 - 33% of total grade

NOTE: THREE (3) ABSENCES FROM LAB WILL CONSTITUTE AN “F” IN THE WHOLE CLASS. DO NOT MISS A LAB.

LABORATORY NOTEBOOK

INSTRUCTIONS

You will be preparing a Portfolio with information and drawings of each parasite and each lifecycle stage with the distinguishing features labeled. You may be instructed to include additional drawings.

Each completed exercise will be turned-in at the end of each lab for the instructor to verify the labeling of the correct key characters for identifying the parasite and your understanding of the exercise. There is sufficient time in each lab to complete the exercises.

ANIMAL PARASITOLOGY LAB. BIOL 4426L LAB. #1.

Introduction to the parasitology lab.

Explanation of the lab notebook.

Use of the microscope.

Care and proper procedures

Recognizing what you are seeing in the microscope slides. Distinguishing parasites from other objects in the slides.

CARE AND USE OF THE MICROSCOPE:

This procedure will be used at each lab period.

Always carry the microscope with two hands. One on the arm and one under the base. Place the microscope gently on the table and carefully unwind the power cord and plug it into the outlet.

Using lens paper clean all objectives starting with the lowest power and ending with the oil immersion lens. If you cannot see through a lens, clean it again.

Observing a prepared slide:

Carefully clean the slide with Kimwipes or paper towel. No oil or dust should be present. Place the slide on the stage and gently lower the slide holder. (Do not snap the slide holder onto the slide.)

Starting with the lowest power objective (ALWAYS START WITH THE LOWEST POWER OBJECTIVE) slowly bring the slide into focus. Observe the slide at low power.

If no parasites are visible increase power by each objective, refocusing each time, until parasites can be found. If the oil lens must be used, place a SMALL drop of immersion oil on the slide after moving the high-dry lens away and before seating the oil lens. Carefully refocus. If you do not see what you are supposed to see or if everything is out of focus, remove the slide clean it again and start over from the lowest power making sure all lenses are clean and that you have refocused after each objective change.

At the end of each lab, clean all microscope objectives and the slides you have used. Unplug the microscope gently and carefully wind the cord. Return the microscope to the cabinet and place it carefully in a vacant space.

PLEASE PLACE THE CLEANED SIDES BACK IN THEIR PROPER PLACES IN THE SLIDE BOXES PROVIDED. Boxes are labeled so that this should not be a problem. Do not be in a hurry.

Recognizing what you are seeing in the microscope slides.

Two slides will be provided, one of parasites in a fecal smear and one slide of parasites in blood. Observe each slide and, using the handout provided, identify all the objects that you see that are not parasites. Draw pictures of them and include these in your lab notebook.