The Effect of Glyphosate based Herbicides on Caenorhabditis elegans Time-off-Pick Assay

School Name

Spring Valley High School

Grade Level

10th Grade

Presentation Topic

Physiology and Health

Presentation Type

Non-Mentored

Abstract

Many herbicides are sprayed all over the world. Some of the most common types of herbicides are glyphosate based. One major name brand that is glyphosate based is Round-up. When first entering the market, glyphosate based herbicides are tested for adverse effects, however many concerns over the safety of the herbicide have risen especially in the last few years. In this study, a common model organism of the human nervous system, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, was used to determine the effects of exposure on the organism. It was hypothesized that the C. elegans, after being exposed to glyphosate herbicide, would have a negative effect on the motility system of C. elegans because the herbicide will damage the ventral nervous cord of the C. elegans causing loss of motion in the organism. This was done by exposing the C. elegans to different concentrations of herbicide and then using a Time Off Pick assay (TOP) method to assess the movement capabilities of the C. elegans organism. This study found that the higher concentration of herbicide led to a statistically significant (Table 3) decrease in the movement ability of the nematode. Therefore, this study was able to support the hypothesis, reject the null hypothesis, and conclude that glyphosate based herbicides do cause negative effects after exposure.

Location

RITA 373

Start Date

3-23-2024 9:45 AM

Presentation Format

Oral and Written

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 23rd, 9:45 AM

The Effect of Glyphosate based Herbicides on Caenorhabditis elegans Time-off-Pick Assay

RITA 373

Many herbicides are sprayed all over the world. Some of the most common types of herbicides are glyphosate based. One major name brand that is glyphosate based is Round-up. When first entering the market, glyphosate based herbicides are tested for adverse effects, however many concerns over the safety of the herbicide have risen especially in the last few years. In this study, a common model organism of the human nervous system, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, was used to determine the effects of exposure on the organism. It was hypothesized that the C. elegans, after being exposed to glyphosate herbicide, would have a negative effect on the motility system of C. elegans because the herbicide will damage the ventral nervous cord of the C. elegans causing loss of motion in the organism. This was done by exposing the C. elegans to different concentrations of herbicide and then using a Time Off Pick assay (TOP) method to assess the movement capabilities of the C. elegans organism. This study found that the higher concentration of herbicide led to a statistically significant (Table 3) decrease in the movement ability of the nematode. Therefore, this study was able to support the hypothesis, reject the null hypothesis, and conclude that glyphosate based herbicides do cause negative effects after exposure.