The effect of the fluorescence of pseudomonas syringae on ice nucleation

Glenn Garcia, Joel, Ella, Gaylin, Olivia (station 5)
Period 2
4/10/12
Lab report

Question: Does the fluorescence of pseudomonas syringae determine whether the bacteria is ice nucleating or not?

Introduction: In this lab we are trying to figure out whether the fluorescence of pseudomonas syringae has anything to do with whether the bacteria is ice nucleating or not. The bacteria we used was acquired from pond water we found outside. The bacteria is called pseudomonas syringae which is basically a plant pathogen that can be found on plants, the edges of lakes/rivers/ponds, and in soil. Ice nucleating bacteria is simply bacteria that can freeze between 0-10° Celsius.

Materials:
Rock salt
Applicators
Fluorescein
2-3 small vials
Water (tap/distilled)
Container for ice
Ice
Pseudomonas Syringae

Variables:
Experimental: none
Independent: Fluorescent/non fluorescent
Dependent: Ice nucleating or not
Controlled: Amount of water in vial, temperature of water, amount of rock salt

Procedures:
Add rock salt to ice in the container and stir it to keep ice from melting
Put 8ml. Of distilled water into 2 empty vials and another 8 ml of tap water into another empty vial
Place the vials of water into the container of ice and rock salt for 2 minutes
Record the temperature of the water while the vials are still in the container
Almost immediately after taking the vials out of the water (after 2 minutes) use an applicator to swab your pseudomonas syringae and dip the applicator as far down the 2 vials of water
Record your results
Repeat however many times as you like

Conclusion:
Overall the data was for the most pattern inconclusive therefore neither approving or disapproving of any possible answer to the original question. For the data in which the bacteria did freeze it seemed that such happened at under at atleast 5 minutes of the vial in the ice