6. Suppose someone brought you a sample of pond water containing an unknown species of microorganism. How could you use the microscopes from this activity to determine: a) whether the species can swim, and b) whether the species is a prokaryote or eukaryote?

a) One will check out for flagella or cilia

b) One will check out for the presence of absence of a nucleus.

Explanation:

Organisms that live in water bodies such as the pond described in this question are called AQUATIC. These organisms possess certain structures that enables them swim along the water current. These structures can include a FLAGELLA, CILIA etc. Hence, in order to determine, with the aid of a microscope, whether an organism from a pond can swim, one will look out for the presence of structures like FLAGELLA OR CILIA.

Also, the cells of organisms can either be prokaryotic or eukaryotic depending on whether they possess a membrane-bound nucleus. An organism without a membrane-bound nucleus is PROKARYOTIC while one with a membrane-bound nucleus is EUKARYOTIC. Therefore, the presence or not of a MEMBRANE-BOUND NUCLEUS is the criterion to determine if an organim is eukaryotic or prokaryotic.