The Lab Report

Lab Report
Effects of Caffeine on the Regeneration and Locomotion of Lumbriculus variegates
By: Sherain Thomas
Abstract
Caffeine, a widely known supplement, has been put upon such a wide ranged scale for use because of its stimulance rate. Joseph Titus, Megan Stevens, and I have been testing Caffeine's effects on Lumbriculus variegates' regeneration and locomotion on a racetrack. We began our procedure for regeneration by cutting the worms in triplicates and placing them in the Spring Water control and the low concentration of Caffeine within five trials. Our independent variables were the Spring Water and Caffeine. In regeneration the first dependent variable was the original and additional segments observed during the two week period. The second dependent variable was the time lengths of different worms exposed to Caffeine and Spring Water around the racetrack in locomotion. After my group's experiments we came to the conclusion that regeneration was not a positive stimulant on our worms. It actually lessened our worm’s regeneration and locomotion rates. Since, most humans are negatively affected by an overdose of Caffeine; we theorized that our worms were overdosed or weaker consumption leveled organisms.

Introduction/Problem Statement
Caffeine is one the most used substances on earth. We decided to test its effects of locomotion on a racetrack, and regeneration for the organism Lumbriculus variegates to see if the results have a significant effect on the worms regeneration and mobility. My group chose Lumbriculus variegatus because of their permeable skin and easily stilmulated nerve system.
We began our procedure for regeneration by cutting the worms in triplicates and placing them in the Control: Spring Water, and the low concentration of Caffeine within five trials. Our independent variables will be the Spring Water and Caffeine the worms are subjected to. The first dependent variable will be the original and additional segments observed during regeneration. The second dependent variable will be the time lengths of locomotion for different worms exposed to Caffeine and Spring Water around the racetrack.

Hypothesis
If Lumbriculus variegates are affected by the low concentration of Caffeine, then their locomotion rates and regeneration rates will increase promoting regeneration, and mobility.

Methods
Part one of our experiment will show the direct effect Caffeine has on the regeneration rates of the Lumbriculus variegates. Our materials will include: the worms, Caffeine supplement, spring water, microscopes, razor blades, pipette, Petri dish, and other required lab equipment. We will begin by preparing the control and Caffeine, and then setting up the worms in triplicates for multiple trials.
The Control groups would be placed in spring water for about 15 minutes. The test groups would be placed in 0.1 gram/ml of aqueous solution of Caffeine. Afterwards the worms will be discarded into the used and unused solution.
Part two of our experiment will show the effect Caffeine has on the locomotion rates of the Lumbriculus variegates on a racetrack. We will make a racetrack, divided into centimeters around the outer edge and within it will be a circular centerpiece, which the worms will travel around. They will be timed every thirty seconds. To do this we will need worms, microscopes, Caffeine, pipettes, Petri Dish, spring water, and other required lab equipment.
We will begin once again by preparing the control solutions, and the 0.1gram/ml of aqueous solution of Caffeine. Next we will place the worms in each for 5 trials. They will be cut in triplicates, and placed in the treatment. New growth will be observed, measured, and compared to the control. After all observations are taken and recorded the used and unused material will be discarded.

Results
In both locomotion and regeneration the low concentration of Caffeine had a detrimental effect on Lumbriculus variegatus. In both groups the spring water allowed the worms to act normally, continuously regenerate, and move. The low concentration of Caffeine slowed down the worm’s regeneration rate, which decreased the amount of segments each worm could reproduce. The low concentration of Caffeine also slowed down the worm’s locomotion rate, which decreased each worms speed around the racetrack and made them move slower than the worms in the Spring Water control.

Conclusions/Future Implications
We use Caffeine in medicines, drinks, and foods. When most people consume Caffeine they get an energy boost, which makes them more alert. However, too much Caffeine can make you anxious, restless, and irritable. This substance has been popular for hundreds of years, and has become a common use for college students that need to be alert for nightly study sessions and early morning lectures. Another group Caffeine has had a major effect on are the athletes. Many athletes believe this substance enhances their mental and physical performance, the only down side is the harmful side effects they could experience after consumption.
Caffeine actually lessened our worm’s regeneration and locomotion rates. Therefore, our low concentration of Caffeine had a negative effect on Lumbriculus variegates. We considered this to be a Caffeine overdose, one similar to a human, causing negative results.

References Cited
C. Drewes. “Lumbriculus variegates: A Biology Profile.” http://www.eeob.iastate.edu/faculty/DrewesC/htdocs/Lvgen4.htm
C. Drewes."Culturing Lumbriculus variegatus" http://www.eeob.iastate.edu/faculty/DrewesC/htdocs/LVCULT.html

Effects of Caffeine on the Regeneration and Locomotion of Lumbriculus variegatus

Research Proposal
Effects of Caffeine on the Regeneration and Locomotion of Lumbriculus variegates
By: Sherain Thomas

Introduction/Background

Caffeine is one the most used substances on earth. We use it in medicines, drinks, and foods. When most people consume Caffeine they get an energy boost, which makes them more alert. However, too much Caffeine can make you anxious, restless, and irritable. This substance has been popular for hundreds of years, and has become a common use for college students that need to be alert for nightly study sessions and early morning lectures. Another group Caffeine has had a major effect on are the athletes. Many athletes believe this substance enhances their mental and physical performance, the only down side is the harmful side effects they could experience after consumption. Since, Caffeine has been put upon such a wide ranged scale for use we decided to test its effects of locomotion on a racetrack and regeneration for the organism Lumbriculus variegates.
We plan on beginning our procedure for regeneration by cutting the worms in triplicates and placing them in the Control: Spring Water, and the low concentration of Caffeine within five trials. Our independent variables will be the Spring Water and Caffeine the worms are subjected to. The first dependent variable will be the original and additional segments observed during regeneration. The second dependent variable will be the time lengths of locomotion for different worms exposed to Caffeine and Spring Water around the racetrack.

Literature Review
Charles Drewes has given an editorial describing what is shown in the organism Lumbriculus variegates. In it he states they have no skeletons, permeable skin, and the fluid inside their bodies gives them support and form. Their bodies are made up of about 150-250 segments. Regeneration allows these organisms to regenerate lost body parts. So the effect of Caffeine on these worms will allow my group and I to see if they will regenerate in a low concentration of Caffeine and the Control: Spring Water.

Our other experiment test the locomotion of the worms on a racetrack in Spring Water and Caffeine, they will be timed by the second in centimeters around the racetrack. When we test Caffeine’s effect on the worms we will see the difference in the regeneration process and mobility.

Martinez, Veronica G., Reddy, Proshant, K., and Zoran, Mark J. performed a toxicity test showing the two basic processes in the regeneration of Lumbriculus variegatus in Epimorphic and Morphallaxis. The differentiation of a blastema and the de nova generation of body parts and tissues is Morphallaxis. This pattern involves transfer tissues and body parts into newly organized structures. Morphallactic regeneration has been a reorganization for the function of escaped reflexes and their neural correlates in Lumbriculus variegatus. Boric Acid, has been proven to be toxic. It effects the organisms sexual reproduction and development, so it is possible boric acid may disrupt epimorphosis (segmental regeneration) in Lumbriculus variegatus. In this experiment fragments did not undergo head or tail formation, but morphallaxis was still found. Which meant that morphallactic mechanisms are not dependent on ongoing epimorphosis.

In Charles Drewes "Culturing Lumbriculus Variegatus" he describes one of the easiest ways to maintain Lumbriculus variegatus. To begin you need a deep pan or small aquarium filled with 2-3 inches of spring water. Transfer a few undamaged worms with a pipette to the spring water, add brown paper towel to the bottom of the entire container, the towel acts as a fibrous substrate of decomposing material for the worms and microscopic organisms. These worms should be fed sinking fish food pellets and each day they should be given more pellets if they have consumed all of the others. Continuous aeration is recommended, and becomes extremely significant as biological decomposition of the paper occurs. Water loss will increase as this happens and the worm population continues to grow. The simple solution to this problem will be the adding of spring water. The culture water should be replaced every two weaks. By following these procedures the worms should reproduce continuously by asexual reproduction.

Hypothesis
If Lumbriculus variegates are affected by the low concentration of Caffeine, then their locomotion rates and regeneration rates will increase promoting regeneration, and mobility.
Methods
Part one of our experiment will show the direct effect Caffeine has on the regeneration rates of the Lumbriculus variegates. Our materials will include: the worms, Caffeine supplement, spring water, microscopes, razor blades, pipettes, Petri dish, and other required lab equipment. We will begin by preparing the contol and Caffeine, and then setting up the worms in triplicates for multiple trials.
The Contol groups would be placed in spring water for about 15 minutes. The test groups would be placed in 0.5 gram/ml of aqueous solution of Caffeine. Afterwards the worms will be discarded into the used and unused solution.
Part two of our experiment will show the effect Caffeine has on the locomotion rates of the Lumbriculus variegates on a racetrack. We will make a racetrack, divided into centimeters around the outer edge and within it will be a circular centerpiece, which the worms will travel around. They will be timed every thirty seconds. To do this we will need worms, microscopes, Caffeine, pipettes, Petri Dish, spring water, and other required lab equipment.
We will begin once again by preparing the control solutions, and the 0.5gram/ml of aqueous solution of Caffeine. Next we will place the worms in each for 5 trials. They will be cut in triplicates, and placed in the treatment. New growth will be observed, measured, and compared to the control. After all observations are taken and recorded the used and unused material will be discarded.

Timeline
· Thursday, June 25- Conduct the first part of the experiment. Record data on segments that will regenerate within one week of being exposed to the caffeine.
· Thursday, July 2-Begin second part of the experiment. Record data on each worms mobility.
· Thursday, July 9-Record amount of additional segments. Finish experiment, and begin the analysis of the data.

Discussion
Since Caffeine has been around it has been proven to be a stimulant. With this supplement we plan on observing the negative and positive stimulant effects Caffeine may have on the Lumbriculus variegates.

Working Bibliography
C. Drewes. “Lumbriculus variegates: A Biology Profile.” http://www.eeob.iastate.edu/faculty/DrewesC/htdocs/Lvgen4.htm
Martinez, Veronica G., Reddy, Proshant, K., and Zoran, Mark J. Asexual reproduction and segmental regeneration, but not morphallaxis, are inhibited by boric acid in Lumbriculus variegatus. http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=4&hid=9&sid=1f2695c4-5261-408c-a1bc- ade9be96c84a%40sessionmgr2&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=a9h&AN=20859751#db=a9h&AN=20859751

C. Drewes."Culturing Lumbriculus variegatus"

http://www.eeob.iastate.edu/faculty/DrewesC/htdocs/LVCULT.htm

Asexual reproduction and segmental regeneration, but not morphallaxis, are inhibited by boric acid in Lumbriculus variegatus.

Lumbriculus Variegatus has the amazing ability to regenerate lost body parts and reproduce asexually. There are two basic processes in the regeneration of these worms such as: epimorphosis and morphallaxis.. Epimorphic regeneration is noted by the differentiation of a blastema and the de novo generation of body parts or tissues. Morphallaxis is a pattern that involves the transformation existing tissues and body parts into newly organized structures.
In 1990, Drewes and Fourtner, demonstrated the functional reorganization of escape reflexes and their neural correlates in L. variegatus during morphallactic regeneration.

Recent studies have characterized many paradigms (a primary form or type from which varieties are derived) for the investigation of cellular and molecular events associated with morphallaxis. Posterior regions, with isolated body segments that obtain a new segmental position, enbodies transformations in axonal diameter, giant fiber conduction velocity, touch within sensory fields, and other physiological properties for new positional identity of the fragment.

Boric Acid, has been proven to be toxic in many organisms through its impact on their entire bodies effecting sexual reproduction, asexual reproduction, and development. It has been stated that boric acid may disrupt epimorphosis (segmental regeneration) in the the Lumbriculus variegatus. This experiment will show the effect of boric acid on the worms, and whether, morphallaxis is dependent on concomitant epimorphosic production of additional fragments such as the head and tail.

In the experiment boric acid in active concentrations is demonstrated, the fragments do not undergo head or tail formation, but morphallaxis was still found in this Oligochaeta. This concluded that morphallactic mechanisms are not dependent on ongoing epimorphosis. Therefore, developmental methods in these worms requiring morphallaxis are independent, and boric acid suppresses architomic fission.

Lumbriculus variegatus were purchased from Flinn Scientific, Inc. (Batavia, IL). Their habitat consisted of a moderately aerated Ozarka spring water, at a constan degree of 16 Celsius in the dark. Brown paper towel peices were distributed to each worm for substrate, they were fed Tetramin staple flakes, and Spirulina powder twice weekly.

Writing and Reading in Rain

Romance, drama, horror, and comedy are all very interesting genres to me. I read about these groups in books such as: Wicked, Rhapsody, and Phantom of the Opera. My favorite thing to write is poetry, it is a deep passion of mine that I have done for five years. On the day of my graduation I actually made my salutatorian speech into a poem. I'm a very emotional poet that writes from her heart, so you can just imagine the tear jerker I exspressed to my senior class on our last day at Oak Hill High School.
As a writer with poise and zest, I view my work to be honest and nonjudgemental. My opinions are usually well reiterated from my own experiences, but I do have trouble writing about topics I am not interested in. Hopefully, writing and english will become less of a hardship for me after this Health Career Opportunity Program.
In high school I rarely composed on a keyboard. Most of my assignments were hand-written. I email and text frequently so my computer networking skills have originated from basic knowledge and one keyboarding class I took in high school. In time, and with dedication I hope to become an amazing writer. With proper guidance I know I can reach this goal and prosper.

Part 2

I'm really excited about HCOP (Health Career Opportunity Program)! I arrived six days ago, and already have made tons of friends. This great learning exsperience will further my knowledge in Chemistry, Math, Biology, and Study Skills.
This is my first week at HCOP, and I already feel more confident in many of the areas I lacked confidence. All of my professors have been extremely insightful, and supportive. I never took Chemistry in high school, but this program has already given me an amazing introduction into it.
I am beginning to understand Chemistry, and with this program and the help of my professors I will not be devistated to enter any of my classes in the fall. I feel as if this program will prepare me for college in more ways than one. Not only will I have an introduction into several subjects that I have classes in, but I will be more confident in myself and my learning abilities.
In high school I always had an advantage in all my classes. Either I already knew most of the topics we would cover, or I could always cram and memorize the information a day or so befor the test. I know college is more difficult, and my study methods are not the best. I need new ways to retain information, and accurate studying techniques. I want to make good grades in college! All A's if possible. I am very determined, and strong willed. I believe in that saying: if first you don't succeed, try, try again. If I don't understand something I am not afraid to find the answer.
The only thing I really don't enjoy in school is being asked questions. Even if I know the work, or can answer the question. I detest being called on. I do not know what's wrong with me. I wasn't always this way, but when teachers ask me questions I break down. It is like I go blank.

Part 1

Hi, everyone! This fall I will be joining many of you at West Virginia University. My name is Sherain Thomas, and I'm extremely excited to be furthering my degree at one of the best schools in West Virginia.

About Me: I am a very considerate person, who loves to have fun. Usually people notice me. I don't know why. They just do. Probably because I never stop smiling! I enjoy helping others, and that's why I plan on majoring in Occupational Therapy. I'm very outgoing, talkative, and energetic. Singing, dancing, and reading are three of my passions. I come from a small town, but I love the city. I travel a lot, to places like: New York, Georgia, Virginia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, and Delaware. In the future I plan on traveling to exotic places in Africa and South America. I appreciate the little things in life, because life is to short to waste. I have lost a couple family members, and through it all that is one thing that I have learned, so I don't take people for granted, and I respect everyone that respects me. I'm the type of woman that would give someone the shirt of my back.





Honors: Graduated as the Salutatorian of my high School and Varsity Cheerleading Captain!

Hero: My mother