The Effect of Taurine Concentration on Head Regeneration in Planarian
School Name
Spring Valley High School
Grade Level
10th Grade
Presentation Topic
Physiology and Health
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Oral Presentation Award
2nd Place
Written Paper Award
2nd Place
Abstract
Taurine is an amino-acid derivative that is present in high concentrations in animal neural tissues as well as areas of inflammation. Taurine is known to be involved in the processes of the brain including development and transmission and is highly concentrated in neural tissues. This research was conducted to determine taurines effect on regenerating neural tissue in planarian. Since taurine is known to help limit inflammation and encourage the proliferation of neural stem cells, it was hypothesized that the taurine would affect the speed of regeneration. There were three different groups including the control, each containing thirty planarian. The control group was suspended in regular spring water whereas the experimental groups were suspended in a water-taurine solution, with a concentration of 50 μm/L or 100 μm/L. The planarian were decapitated and their heads removed from the dishes. Regeneration was then observed daily with measurements taken at days one, four, and seven. Taurine was not shown to create a significant difference in length and regeneration. Both experimental groups demonstrated statistically significant differences within themselves, but not from one other or the control. The control group showed no significant difference within itself, whereas both experimental groups exhibited significant differences. There was no significant difference between the control group and the experimental group. These statistics were obtained using a one-way ANOVA at a confidence level of 95%. These statistics did not support the hypothesis, suggesting that taurine does not have a significant effect on regeneration in planarian.
Recommended Citation
Latham, Crawford, "The Effect of Taurine Concentration on Head Regeneration in Planarian" (2018). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 190.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2018/all/190
Location
Neville 121
Start Date
4-14-2018 9:45 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
The Effect of Taurine Concentration on Head Regeneration in Planarian
Neville 121
Taurine is an amino-acid derivative that is present in high concentrations in animal neural tissues as well as areas of inflammation. Taurine is known to be involved in the processes of the brain including development and transmission and is highly concentrated in neural tissues. This research was conducted to determine taurines effect on regenerating neural tissue in planarian. Since taurine is known to help limit inflammation and encourage the proliferation of neural stem cells, it was hypothesized that the taurine would affect the speed of regeneration. There were three different groups including the control, each containing thirty planarian. The control group was suspended in regular spring water whereas the experimental groups were suspended in a water-taurine solution, with a concentration of 50 μm/L or 100 μm/L. The planarian were decapitated and their heads removed from the dishes. Regeneration was then observed daily with measurements taken at days one, four, and seven. Taurine was not shown to create a significant difference in length and regeneration. Both experimental groups demonstrated statistically significant differences within themselves, but not from one other or the control. The control group showed no significant difference within itself, whereas both experimental groups exhibited significant differences. There was no significant difference between the control group and the experimental group. These statistics were obtained using a one-way ANOVA at a confidence level of 95%. These statistics did not support the hypothesis, suggesting that taurine does not have a significant effect on regeneration in planarian.
