Name: _____________________________________ Period:_________________

DEMODEX OBSERVATION LAB

Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis are two types of mites found commonly around human ________________, ______________, _____________, and ______________________. Both Demodex species feed on dead human skin and oil from the sebaceous glands a type of pump that produces the greasy oil on your skin. About ____of children, _____ of adults, and _____ of elderly people have these mites. Children have lower rates of mites most likely because they produce less sebum, or oil. Also, Since Demodex mites are transferred through ________________________________, the longer a person has lived the more likely theyll have had contact with another person that carries the mites. ___% of the teenagers acne is caused by Demodex; the change of the hormones at that age makes the sebaceous glands produce more oil, making the facial skin a perfect living and breeding place, they can now easily multiply and this is translated in infections and acne.________________________ help to control the number of Demodex mites in your skin.

A Demodex mite under a microscope.

Demodex mites are part of your ecosystem. Draw a food web above that links the Demodex mite to you and the organisms you commonly eat. Show how the Law of Conservation of Energy flows energy from the Sun through producers and all the way up to the mite. Make sure your arrows are pointing in the correct direction!

The procedures to examine someones skin for mites is fairly simple, but it has a lot of steps and will need to be carried out in precise order. Safety Information: We are working with glass today. If a slide should slip and fall, be sure to notify Mr. Rawlins immediately and he will clean it up. If you are cut, see Mr. Rawlins for first aid. Demodex mites are contagious through touch. Practice proper safety and handle only your samples and slides, and no one elses. Below you will draw any observations that you make of Demodex, or other things from your skin, under the microscope.

Trial 1 1st Observation

Trial 2 2nd Observation

Trial 3 3rd Observation

Trial 4 4th Observation

Lastly, think like a scientist. Did we prove that you (or your partner) have Demodex? If there were no signs of Demodex, did we prove that you (or your partner) DONT have the mites in your skin?