Megamecia

Introduction Model Organism Paramecium Tetraurelia Mutagen Ultraviolet Radiation

Paramecium Tetraurelia

Ultraviolet Radiation Electromagnetic Spectrum 100 nm – 400 nm range Causes pyrimadine dimers to form in DNA (Goodsell, 2001) Pyrimadine dimers may result in the formation of a point mutation.

Pyrimadine Dimers Covalent bond between two adjacent pyrimadine bases (Thyamine, Cytosine) Point Mutation – Transition Mutation Switching of complementary base pairs A-T becomes G-C (Russell, 2010)

Methods 500 μL culture samples added to tissue culture tray Samples exposed to UV radiation in a UV chamber. Exposed between 10 and 60 minutes in 10 minute intervals

Methods Culture trays wrapped in tin foil immediately after exposure. Paramecia have the ability to repair DNA while exposed to white light Repeated 30 minute exposure with new samples 200 μL klebsiella inoculated wheat media added to each sample after exposure Samples checked periodically for changes Photos taken using a digitial microscope and Applied Vision Measurements done with Image J

RESULTS 30 minutes was the optimum time to keep the cells in UV light Mutant cells were 22% larger in length & 15% larger in width

RESULTS MUTANTS CONTROL

DISCUSSION Other mutations that werent able to be cultured

DISCUSSION Experiment could be taken further Analyze DNA to pinpoint where mutation occurred Experimental errors Tissue culture trays should have been checked for cells before exposure to Ultraviolet radiation Ultraviolet radiation successfully caused a mutation

REFERENCES Goodsell, D.S. (2001). The Molecular Perspective: Ultraviolet Light and Pyrimidine Dimers. The Oncologist, 6(3), Retrieved from Russell, P.J. (2010) iGenetics: A Molecular Approach 3rd Ed. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Education, Inc.