The Effect of Excess 2-Aminoethanesulfonic Acid on Locomotion In Planaria
School Name
Spring Valley High School
Grade Level
11th Grade
Presentation Topic
Physiology and Health
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Written Paper Award
2nd Place
Abstract
Taurine is an amino acid derivative that occurs naturally within the human body and is attributed to a wide range of functions. It can function as a calcium channel blocker, neurotransmitter, neuromodulator, and organic osmolyte. Taurine is being taken in by humans in larger amounts today than ever before by way of energy drinks and dietary vitamin supplements. There is almost no research on the negative effects of high concentrations of taurine. The purpose of this research was to learn more about the negative effects of taurine in high concentrations, targeting its function as a calcium channel blocker. It was hypothesized that high concentrations of taurine would impair locomotive function because of taurine’s role as a calcium channel blocker. There were two experimental groups and one control group. The control group were planaria in plain spring water put through the same chemotaxis and phototaxis tests to determine a baseline for comparing the test groups too. The test groups, each containing thirty planaria, were put in solutions of taurine with concentrations of 500 μm/L and 750 μm/L. These test groups were put through the same chemotaxis and phototaxis tests. When ANOVAs were used to analyze the data both groups showed significance at ⍺=0.01. These statistics, as well as all of the descriptive trends supported the hypothesis. This is sufficient evidence to suggest taurine negatively impacted the locomotive function of the planaria for the chemotaxis and phototaxis tests.
Recommended Citation
Latham, Crawford, "The Effect of Excess 2-Aminoethanesulfonic Acid on Locomotion In Planaria" (2019). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 198.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2019/all/198
Location
Founders Hall 142 B
Start Date
3-30-2019 8:30 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Group Project
No
The Effect of Excess 2-Aminoethanesulfonic Acid on Locomotion In Planaria
Founders Hall 142 B
Taurine is an amino acid derivative that occurs naturally within the human body and is attributed to a wide range of functions. It can function as a calcium channel blocker, neurotransmitter, neuromodulator, and organic osmolyte. Taurine is being taken in by humans in larger amounts today than ever before by way of energy drinks and dietary vitamin supplements. There is almost no research on the negative effects of high concentrations of taurine. The purpose of this research was to learn more about the negative effects of taurine in high concentrations, targeting its function as a calcium channel blocker. It was hypothesized that high concentrations of taurine would impair locomotive function because of taurine’s role as a calcium channel blocker. There were two experimental groups and one control group. The control group were planaria in plain spring water put through the same chemotaxis and phototaxis tests to determine a baseline for comparing the test groups too. The test groups, each containing thirty planaria, were put in solutions of taurine with concentrations of 500 μm/L and 750 μm/L. These test groups were put through the same chemotaxis and phototaxis tests. When ANOVAs were used to analyze the data both groups showed significance at ⍺=0.01. These statistics, as well as all of the descriptive trends supported the hypothesis. This is sufficient evidence to suggest taurine negatively impacted the locomotive function of the planaria for the chemotaxis and phototaxis tests.
