The Effect of Multiple Mixtures of Zinc and Glutamine on the Behavior and Lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans
School Name
Spring Valley High School
Grade Level
11th Grade
Presentation Topic
Zoology
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
Finding a way to control autoimmune diseases has been a stumbling block for decades in the world. To gain a better idea of a possibility of help in the treatment of these, an experiment using C. elegans and mixtures of zinc and glutamine were used to see if there was a change in the lifespan and behavior of the organisms. The mixtures of these substances were chosen partially because anyone can get them over the counter at retail stores that sell powders, pills, or tablets of them. A powder of the both substances were acquired and then mixed into their respective concentrations. Then with a enucleation loop they were spread all over the cultures of the C. elegans. It was hypothesized that the mixture of 66.5% glutamine and 33.5% zinc will have the longest lifespan and most responsive behavior, due to the effects of glutamine having less downside and side effects compared to zinc. The results did not support the hypothesis fully due to some habitats supporting and some not. The data found was significant due to a one way anova test. With a p-value of 0.0230012 it was lower than the significance level of 0.05. With this being recorded the results can be applied to procedures with autoimmune diseases. Though with caution due to the difference in scales of anatomy complexity.
Recommended Citation
Hankins, Jacob, "The Effect of Multiple Mixtures of Zinc and Glutamine on the Behavior and Lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans" (2025). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 119.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2025/all/119
Location
PENNY 310
Start Date
4-5-2025 10:00 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Group Project
No
The Effect of Multiple Mixtures of Zinc and Glutamine on the Behavior and Lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans
PENNY 310
Finding a way to control autoimmune diseases has been a stumbling block for decades in the world. To gain a better idea of a possibility of help in the treatment of these, an experiment using C. elegans and mixtures of zinc and glutamine were used to see if there was a change in the lifespan and behavior of the organisms. The mixtures of these substances were chosen partially because anyone can get them over the counter at retail stores that sell powders, pills, or tablets of them. A powder of the both substances were acquired and then mixed into their respective concentrations. Then with a enucleation loop they were spread all over the cultures of the C. elegans. It was hypothesized that the mixture of 66.5% glutamine and 33.5% zinc will have the longest lifespan and most responsive behavior, due to the effects of glutamine having less downside and side effects compared to zinc. The results did not support the hypothesis fully due to some habitats supporting and some not. The data found was significant due to a one way anova test. With a p-value of 0.0230012 it was lower than the significance level of 0.05. With this being recorded the results can be applied to procedures with autoimmune diseases. Though with caution due to the difference in scales of anatomy complexity.
