Introduction Planaria is the widely used term to describe non- parasitic freshwater flatworms (Planarian, 2008). Planaria are able to reproduce asexually and sexually which can contribute to their regenerative capabilities (Leeches, worms, & planaria, 2010). In addition, most planaria live in shallow ponds and they are abundant in number (Planaria, 2010). Also, planaria are housed in the Kingdom Animalia and specifically the Dugesia tigrina is most common species worked with (Planaria, 2010). To begin with, planaria are bilaterally symmetrical due to both sides of their body being identical images (Planaria, 2010). On the surface, the anatomy of planaria is not a very complex matter (Planaria, 2010). For example, planaria do not contain a circulatory system, they do not have any lungs or gills to breathe, and they do not have an interior space to house organs (Planaria, 2010). Due to lungs or gills not being in planarians, they acquire oxygen through diffusion over their bodies (Planaria, 2010).
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Introduction
Planaria is the widely used term to describe non-parasitic freshwater flatworms
(Planarian, 2008). Planaria are able to reproduce asexually and sexually which can
contribute to their regenerative capabilities (Leeches, worms, & planaria, 2010). In
addition, most planaria live in shallow ponds and they are abundant in number (Planaria,
2010). Also, planaria are housed in the Kingdom Animalia and specifically the Dugesia
tigrina is most common species worked with (Planaria, 2010).
To begin with, planaria are bilaterally symmetrical due to both sides of their body
being identical images (Planaria, 2010). On the surface, the anatomy of planaria is not a
very complex matter (Planaria, 2010). For example, planaria do not contain a circulatory
system, they do not have any lungs or gills to breathe, and they do not have an interior
space to house organs (Planaria, 2010). Due to lungs or gills not being in planarians, they
acquire oxygen through diffusion over their bodies (Planaria, 2010). Planaria have cilia,
which are hair like structures that allow them to move wherever they please (Mithra,
2010). One of the most unique traits for a planarian is its eye spots which act as
photoreceptors to light (Maurice, 2010). Also, planaria contain auricles on both sides of
their head that act as sensory organs (Planaria: a window on regeneration, 2010).
Most planaria have phototaxis that makes them move away from light (Maurice,
2010). A planarian’s digestive system is also not very complex because it is only made up
of a central mouth, a pharynx, and a large gastro vascular cavity (Mithra, 2010). In
addition, small flame cells are present to help aid in the removal of wastes from planaria
(Planaria, 2010). A planarian’s anatomy includes a straightforward nervous system in
which the ganglion acts as a type of brain (Planaria, 2010).
Furthermore, planaria have an amazing ability of regeneration which makes them
a popular specimen to test to this day (Bogdanova, 2010). Planaria are able to regenerate
due to their spread out cells called neoblasts that act like stem cells in humans
(Thompson 2007). Neoblasts and stem cells are seen as alike because they are both not
focused on a certain function (Thompson, 2007). In addition, researchers at the
University of Nottingham have discovered that the gene that triggers regeneration is
called ‘Smed-prep’ (The secret to tissue regeneration… in the body of a worm, 2010).
On another note, in society today, sports drinks have become immensely popular
in the market today (Reents, 2007). Usually during or after a strenuous exercise, many
people have to get a sip of these rejuvenating beverages. However, are they really all they
are cracked up to be?
Sports drinks originated at the University of Florida in 1965 when an assistant
Gator coach realized that his players were not being replenished after games (Mayo &
Kravitz, 2010). At the school, physicians concocted a beverage (now Gatorade) filled
with carbohydrates and electrolytes which helped the Gators go on to win the Orange
Bowl (Mayo & Kravitz, 2010). Ever since then, the sports drink business was officially
born (Mayo & Kravitz, 2010).
In definition, a sports drink is a beverage that replenishes lost fluids or
electrolytes after a certain period of time (Cohen, 2008). When dealing with sports drinks
in general, there are three major types: hypotonic, isotonic, and hypertonic (Sports
Drinks, 2010). Depending on the type of activity or sport that is performed, a certain type
is more preferred (Sports Drinks, 2010). For example, isotonic sports drinks are better
suited for the average athlete because they replenish fluids very quickly (Cohen, 2008).
Although hypotonic sports drinks also hydrate rapidly, they are best suited after less
strenuous exercises (Sports Drinks, 2010).On the other end of the spectrum, hypertonic
drinks are mostly used to replenish athletes who work out for long enduring exercises like
a marathon runner (Sports Drinks, 2010).
The main components that make up many sports drinks are different types of
sugars, carbohydrates, and sometimes protein (Carbohydrates & sports performance,
2010). All of these elements are necessary for our body to function normally every single
day (Carbohydrates: good carbs guide the way, 2010). Carbohydrates provide us with
basically the will to live by providing our bodies with vivacious energy (Carbohydrates,
2010), while proteins give structure and form to our body’s makeup (Proteins, 2009).
The controversy however, results with the question as to which one improves the
endurance or activity level of humans the best. Countless experiments have been done as
to whether the amount of protein or the amount of carbohydrates affects a person’s
performance during exercise. For example, John Ivy from the University of Texas
concocted an experiment in which he tested whether a carbohydrate drink vs. a protein
and carbohydrate drink would be better for athletes’ performances (Burfoot, 2004). In the
end, he concluded that athletes repeatedly sprinting with a carbohydrate plus protein
drink, lasted about thirty six percent better than those with the carbohydrate only drink
(Burfoot, 2004). Many scientists have not fully accepted his findings and the race still
goes on (Burfoot, 2004). In contrast, in a study done at McMaster University by Martin
Gibala, researchers found that adding protein to a regular sports drink did not improve
cycling performance against a regular sports drink (McMaster University, 2006). Overall,
the researchers claim that consuming protein in the sports drink did not give rise to any
benefit (McMaster University, 2006).
With all of this in mind, this is a real world problem. For instance, many active
people and athletes are affected by the use of sports drinks constantly because they
interact with them daily (Quinn, 2009). Sports drinks are undoubtedly a huge part of our
society today and to truly maximize exercise performance, the debate of carbohydrates
vs. carbohydrates + proteins needs to be solved today (Reents, 2007).
Purpose
In today’s world, the consumption of sports drinks is on the rise (Reents, 2007).
Some people use sports drinks such as Gatorade or Vitamin Water as a way to quench
their thirst after a strenuous workout while others drink these beverages solely as a way a
life. The real question however, is which sports drink on the market would is the most
beneficial?
Sports drinks are liquid refreshments that renew lost electrolytes and fluids
(Cohen, 2008). The three common types of sports drinks are isotonic, hypertonic, and
hypotonic (Sports Drinks, 2010). Depending on a person’s activity level, a certain sports
drink is better for him/her. The most common sports drinks would be those with an
isotonic solution because they are very good at replenishing fluids at a quicker pace
(Cohen, 2008).
In addition, sports drinks are composed of mainly carbohydrates and sugars
(Carbohydrates, 2010). Protein has been added in certain sports drinks and it is very
controversial as to if it helps to improve a person’s performance during exercise (Burfoot,
2004). Numerous experiments have been done testing the fact and the issue is still
unsolved today (Burfoot, 2004).
For my experiment, I will test the activity level in planaria by using different
concentrations of two different sports drinks, Gatorade vs. Vitamin Water. Both drinks
will have different levels of carbohydrates and protein and the decision to whether the
amount of protein affects the planaria will be shown by clearly represented data and one
step closer to being figured out.
Hypotheses
Null Hypothesis: If a sports drink has a high carbohydrate and protein
solution, then there will be no significant change in the level of activeness
in the planaria.
Alternative Hypothesis: If a sports drink contains a high carbohydrate and
protein solution, then there will be a significant change in the level of
activeness in the planaria.
Materials
60 planaria from Carolina Biological Supply(54 are used)
Petri Dishes
2 Dropping Pipets
Plastic Spoons
Stopwatches
40mL Beaker
16 fl oz. Gatorade :Recover (Strawberry Kiwi)
20 fl oz. Vitamin Water : Energy (Tropical Citrus)