INTRODUCTION: It is often thought that bacteria are usually found on the surface and orifices of organisms. However, one particular genus of bacteria does not conform to this premise, Wolbachia. Wolbachia is a bacterium found within the cells of arthropods. In addition, it is estimated that Wolbachia is found in approximately 66% of all insects (Hilenboecker, 2008). Several studies have been conducted and indicate that the vast majority of arthropods are affected during the reproduction phases. One such study indicates during cell division, Wolbachia isolates itself around spindle poles, and may become incorporated into newly formed daughter cells (Hiroyuki, 1995) In order for Wolbachia to spread within a population, several factors may occur, such as male killings, feminization, and cytoplasmic incompatibility(Toon Ruang, 2004) . In this study, Photinus Pyralis is tested to determine if Wolbachia is present in the genes of these fireflies. Photinus Pyralis, commonly known as a firefly, attract one another through specific flashing signals. These light signals are in the reproductive regions of Photinus pyralis, which is a common infection site for Wolbachia to settle …show more content…
and spread. Thus, we hypothesize that Wolbachia will be present in the genes of Photinus Pyralis. METHODS: For this experiment, sixteen male and sixteen female Photinus pyralis were obtained in Hershey, Pennsylvania. From this, six samples were then organized in the following order: a male Photinus Pyralis, a female Photinus pyralis, Drosphila that was tested negatively for the Wolbachia gene, Dropshila that was tested positively for the Wolbachia gene, a water sample, and the last sample contained Wolbachia positive genomic, provided by the Marine Biological Laboratories. The reproductive organs of Photinus pyralis were cut and crushed. The PBS and Instagene Matrix, acquired from Biorad, was added to each sample. The samples were placed in a bath for 10 minutes at 99⁰C. The Drosphila that tested positively for the Wolbachia gene served as the positive control, while the Drosphila that tested negatively for the Wolbachia gene was the negative control. For PCR to be achieved, PCR primers were used to amplify genes of the 16S ribosomal RNA- WSPEC-F (5’-CATACCTATTCGAAGGGATAG-3’) and WSPEC-R (5’-AGCTTCGAGTGAAACCAATTC-3’). Additionally, cytochrome oxidase (CO1) gene was also amplified. Two PCR primers were used, LCO1490 (5’-GGTCAACAAATCATAAAGATATTGG-3’) and HCO2198 (5’-TAAACTTCAGGGTGACCAAAAAATCA-3’). The gel electrophoresis was run with 2% agarose gel. RESULTS: The Wolbachia positive genemoic, 16S ribosomal RNA was successfully amplified in the gel.
Thus, indicating that PCR was successful. CO1-cytochrome oxidase was present in the gel, however, Wolbachia was negative (Figure 1). Out of the total gels, 20% had possible positive results for the Wolbachia gene. The majority of the 20% of possible positive results for Wolbahcia where female with only one possible positive for the male Photinus pyralis. Due to the experimental error of DNA extraction, 40% of the gels were not included in the analysis. All the PCR groups were successful, due to the presence of the Wolbachia genemocis in all of the gels. However, 6 of the gels failed to extract DNA. Overall, 40% out of 100 failed to extract DNA. In addition, out of 100%, 1% had reagent
contamination. Figure 1 – Wolbahcia in Gel Electrophoresis Lane 1-DNA Ladder Lane 2- Water Lane 3- Drosphila Positive Lane 4-Drosphila Negative Lane 5- Genenomic Positive for Wolbachia Lane 6- Photinus Pyralis Male Lane 7-Photinus Pyralis Female Lane 8 – Blank DISCUSSION: The data does not support our hypothesis that Wolbachia will be present in the cells of Photinus pyralis. Since this has been the only study conducted testing for Wolbachia presents in the genes of Photinus pyralis, there are currently no other studies to compare this experiment to. However, in recent years there have been several studies done to determine the presence of Wolbachia in mosquitos. One such study conducted determined if the presence of Wolbachia in Aedes aegypti can invade and increase the size of a population and if the survival rates fluctuated (Garcia, 2016). This experiment also studied if female Aedes aegypti that were infected with Wolbachia would influence the probability of survival. Due to the rejection of the hypothesis, certain aspects that could have be done differently include-testing for Wolbachia in different regions of Photinus pyralis, such as the head and thorax. It may be a possibility that Wolbahcia could have spread to those regions as well, instead of being isolated in the reproductive organs. Additionally, testing to determine if Wolbachia may be present in other insects from different regions of the United States, such as Florida that has a tropical climate for most of the year. By performing such an experiment, would help to determine if warmer temperatures could potentially affect the increase of Wolbachia in male and female insects.
The unknown bacterium that was handed out by the professor labeled “E19” was an irregular and raised shaped bacteria with a smooth texture and it had a white creamy color. The slant growth pattern was filiform and there was a turbid growth in the broth. After all the tests were complete and the results were compared the unknown bacterium was defined as Shigella sonnei. The results that narrowed it down the most were the gram stain, the lactose fermentation test, the citrate utilization test and the indole test. The results for each of the tests performed are listed in Table 1.1 below.
Planarians are free-living, carnivorous flatworms found in the Phylum Platyhelminthes, Class Turbellaria. Although the Phylum Platyhelminthes is known for having the animals with the most parasitic species, the class Turbellaria which consist of the Planaria, are a non-parasitic species. Platyhelminthes which translates to "flat worm" are triploblastic animals. This means that they have three tissue layers, the endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm. Planaria also are monoecious organisms, meaning that they have both female and male sex organs in one organism. Another characteristic of the Planaria is that they do not have a true body cavity, meaning that they are acoelomate organisms.
The beet Lab experiment was tested to examine bio-membranes and the amount of betacyanin extracted from the beets. The betacyanin is a reddish color because it transmits wavelengths in red color and absorbs most other colors. The membrane is composed of a phospholipid bilayer with proteins embedded in it. The phospholipid bilayer forms a barrier that is impermeable to many substances like large hydrophilic molecules. The cells of beets are red and have large vacuoles that play a big role for the reddish pigment. This experiment aimed to answer the question, “How do cell membranes work?” The hypothesis we aim to test is: Cell membranes work as a fluid mosaic bilayer of phospholipids with many embedded proteins. We predicted that the 50% Acetone will break down the most betacyanin. Our hypothesis was proven wrong by our data collected. We could test our predictions by doing the experiment multiple times and compare the
If you put the gummy bear in Vinegar it will not get bigger also if you buy it in the baking soda it will also not get bigger. The water will make the gummy bear get bigger because of the material that it made by the gummy bear.
When the PCR technique is completed, the tubes are stored at 4°C until analysis of the tubes. To analyze the PCR results with the gel electrophorese, 2.5ul of the 10x loading dye is added to each PCR reaction tube. The gel for the electrophorese consists of 1.5% agarose gel with 0.5x TBE and 200ng/ml ethidium. bromide. The sand is a sand.
The life cycle of Naegleria fowleri includes three different stages: amoeboid trophozoites, flagellates, and cysts; due to the transitory nature of the microbe and the specific forms that it can take, it is frequently referred to as an amoeboflagellate. Despite its abilities to take on various forms, the amoeboid trophozoite is the only infective stage of the microbe and it requires favorable environmental ...
The purpose of this lab was to study the response of the genus Daphnia to chemical stimuli and to examine human responses to different stimuli. A stimulus is an incentive; it is the cause of a physical response. Stimuli can have a physical or chemical change; an example of a physical change is a change in temperature and sound. An example of chemical change would be changes in hormone levels and pH levels. Muscular activity or glandular secretions are responses that occurs when stimulus information effects the nervous and/or hormone system. Daphnia is a genus; it is a small crustacean that lives in fresh water. The body of the daphnia is visible and its internal organs are clearly seen thus it was chosen for this exercise. The
An example of bioluminescence is a firefly. The production of light in bioluminescent animals is caused by converting chemical energy to light energy (Bioluminescence, 1 of 1). In a firefly, oxygen, luciferin, luciferase (an enzyme), and ATP combine in the light organ in a chemical reaction that creates cold light (Johnson, 42). This bright, blinking light helps the male firefly attract female fireflies as a possible mate. Other examples of bioluminescent organisms are fungi, earthworms, jellyfish, fish, and other sea creatures (Berthold Technologies, 1 of 2).
Disease and parasitism play a pervasive role in all life. Many of these diseases start with microparasites, which are characterized by their ability to reproduce directly within an individual host. They are also characterized by their small size, short duration of infection, and the production of an immune response in infected and recovered individuals. Microparasites which damage hosts in the course of their association are recognized as pathogens. The level of the interaction and the extent of the resultant damage depends on both the virulence of the pathogen, as well as the host defenses. If the pathogen can overcome the host defenses, the host will be damaged and may not survive. If on the other hand the host defenses overcome the pathogen, the microparasite may fail to establish itself within the host and die.
N fowleri has three stages of their cycle. In the amoeboid trophozoite stage, they are infectious and measure 10-35 µm long. The trophozoite transforms to a non-feeding flagellate when food sources are limited. Flagellates are motile and measure 10-20 µm in length. The amoeba or flagellate will form a cyst, the dormant stage, if the environment is too cold and not conducive to continued feeding and growth. When the organism is in the cyst stage, it has a single layered wall and only one nucleus. The cyst measures 7-1...
Naegleria fowleri is a single-celled, protozoan pathogen found in fresh bodies of water and soil around the world (Skurie; Byrd 8). It thrives in the layer of sediment at the bottom of lakes and ponds. (Skurie). When living in soil, the N. fowleri, along with other protozoa microbes, clings to plant roots searching for bacteria (Byrd 261). This pathogen is a free-living pathogen classified as an amphizoic amoeba therefore it survives in a free state throughout soil and fresh water while having the ability to be a pathogen (Marciano-Cabral, “Immune”). It primarily seeks bacteria due to an inability to create food (Byrd 27); however, N. fowleri will attack a host if given the opportunity. In addition, it has been proven pathogens of the brain are often able to control the actions of their host to better suit the pathogen’s needs. An example may be to cause the host to have a high body temperature, wanting to stay warmer, or sleeping more often (Byrd 225). This microbe is typically found in the form of trophozoite, cyst, o...
A model which synthesizes the key factors determining parasitic virulence and can predict the entire range of evolutionary outcomes is crucial to our understanding of the history and future of species interaction.
“David M. Lodge // Department of Biological Sciences // University of Notre Dame.” University of Notre Dame. 2009. Web.1 Mar. 2010.
Engelkirk & Burton (1979) state that bacteria can reproduce asexually by simple division of cells and some bacteria reproduce sexually by conjunction. A bacterium is a waste producer of products and secretions. This allows pathogens to invade their hosts to cause disease some of these harmful diseases are Scarlet fever, an acute illness, characterized by a reddish skin rash, which is caused by systematic infection with the bacterium streptococcus. St. Anthony’s Fire is another bacterial disease. “St. Anthony’s Fire which is an acute superficial form of celluitus involving the dermal lymphatic, usually caused by infection with streptococci and chiefly characterized by a peripherally spreading hot, bright red, oedematous.
Wolbachia is a form of bacteria that infects different insects and stops them from spreading disease to their offspring and infecting more people with that disease. For example wolbachia is used to prevent the disease zika from spreading and what they do is that they infect mosquitoes with wolbachia and that stops zika and stops them from infecting people and spreading it. what they are hoping happens is that when mosquitoes mate they will spread wolbachia to their offspring and it will stop the spread of zika.