| Living Materials
Information
Volvox
(Volvox
sp.)
The microscopic creatures you will look at in the
Microworlds unit have in common with other living creatures the same basic needs:
oxygen and the appropriate food, temperature, and light. Suppliers usually try to ship
the cultures to you as quickly as possible. However, unforeseen delays during
shipment can traumatize the cultures. Therefore, it is very important to see to
them immediately upon arrival. With the proper care, you should be able to maintain the
cultures for several weeks.
For your Volvox culture, do these things immediately upon arrival:
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Open your shipment and remove the lids from all containers to allow in fresh oxygen. |
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Place the containers in a location that allows them to adjust to
room temperature. Avoid direct sunlight and never refrigerate. |
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| Volvox |
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To manufacture its own food, Volvox needs bright light, but not direct sun. (It would get too hot in direct sun.) A
well-lit windowsill where the temperature does not fluctuate too much is fine. You also may use grow lights or fluorescent lights, which provide good illumination without too much heat.
Due to evaporation, it may be necessary to add water to the culture from
time to time. Use springwater (available from grocery or drug stores) or filtered pond water. Avoid tap water because the chlorine in it is harmful to many microbes. Keep the lid placed lightly over the jar to allow air
to circulate.
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