Collect a sample of water from a pond, preferably from an area close to the algae on the surface. Keep the sample in a well-lit area, but avoid direct sunlight. After 24 to 48 hours, use an eyedropper to place a drop from the sample on a slide. Cover it with a coverslip. Observe under the microscope and draw what you see. Use bibliographic references to identify the protists according to their shape.
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Use a water sample from a pond or a commercial protist kit to study the effects of different temperatures on these microorganisms. Divide the sample between three jars. Put one in the refrigerator for one hour and leave another in direct sunlight or in a warm water-bath for the same period of time. Keep the third jar at room temperature out of direct sunlight. Observe each sample under the microscope and analyze how temperature interferes with the movement of the protists.
Observe the effects of light on protists through a simple activity. Make a slide using a sample of pond water or a commercial protist kit. Put a source of light on one side of the slide and observe if the microorganisms are attracted to it or repelled by it. Protists of the genus Euglena are generally attracted to light, but high-intensity light often repels them.
Protists are constantly exchanging molecules, such as nutrients, oxygen and carbon dioxide with the environment. Observe how protists react to substances such as salt, liquid detergent and vinegar. Make three slides using a sample of pond water or a commercial protist kit. Add a drop of the substances you want to test to one side of each slide. Observe under the microscope how the organisms react to the substances.