Materials Needed for Collection of Organisms

1. Knives to cut portions of plant stem/root or uproot
2. Polythene bags to put the collected plant or specimens
3. Insect collecting jars
4. Insect killing jars
5. Hand gloves
6. Sweep nets
7. Pooters
8. Traps

Observation of Organisms

1. Observe the plant/animal in its natural habitat before collecting
2. Identify the exact place -on surface, under rock, on tree trunk, on branches
3. What does it feed on?
4. How does it interact with other animals and the environment?
5. How many of that kind of plant or animal are in a particular place?
6. Plant specimens placed on the bench and sorted out into;- seeds/stems/roots/leaves/fruits
7. Animal specimens may be left inside polythene bags if transparent
8. Others (killed ones) are put in petri¬ dishes
9. Use hand lens to observe the external features of small animals

Presenting the Results of Observations

1. Organisms are observed and important features noted down: colour, texture ¬hard or soft; if hairy or not

Size is measured or estimated

1. Biological Drawings – It is necessary to draw some of the organisms
2. In making a biological drawing, magnification (enlargement) is noted
3. Indicate the magnification of your drawing i.e. how many times the drawing is larger/smaller than the actual specimen MG=length of drawing/length specimen

How to Draw

How does it interact with other animals and the environment?

1. Several drawings of one organism may be necessary to represent all features observed, eg
2. Anterior view of grasshopper shows all mouth parts properly, but not all limbs
3. Lateral (side) view shows all the legs

Collection, Observation and Recording of Organisms

Collection

1. Plants and animals collected from the environment, near school or within school compound using nets, bottles and gloves
2. Animals collected include:-arthropods, earthworms and small vertebrates like lizards/chameleons/ rodents

3. Place in polythene bags and take to the laboratory

4. Stinging/poisonous insects killed using ether

5. Other animals are observed live and returned to their natural habitat

6. Plant specimen collected include:- leaves, flowers and whole plants

7. Observations are made to show the following

8. Plants have roots, stems, leaves and flowers

Animals have legs, hair, hard outer covering, feathers, eyes, mouth, limbs and other appendages