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