Instructor:
Robin Cooper
199
Credits:
0.0-1.0
009
Building:
Multi-Disciplinary Science Building
Room:
Rm.155B
Semester:
Spring 2023
Start Date:
End Date:
Name:
Res Exp Bio: Sdy Eff Znc Snp Trns & Bhvr
Class Type:
LAB
3:00 pm
5:00 pm
Days:
T
Note:
BIO 199 009: Studying the effect of zinc on synaptic transmission and behavior No contract needed. Open only to STEMCats students until November 20, 2022. Honors College students may enroll beginning November 21, 2022 after obtaining permission from the instructor to receive an override to register. Other students may enroll beginning November 28, 2022 after obtaining permission from the instructor to receive an override to register. The theme of this course is addressing the hypothesis that zinc (Zn2+) will reduce the function of the glutamatergic synaptic transmission in larval Drosophila in a concentration and time dependent manner. It is known that the oral LD50 for zinc is close to 3 g/kg body weight, more than 10-fold higher than cadmium and 50-fold higher than mercury (Plum et al., 2010). But also Zn2+ is an essential element and has a role in over 300 enzymes. Zinc homeostasis is closely associated with neurological diseases including Alzheimer's disease ( Takeda, 2010). It is known that Zn accumulates inside synaptic vesicles of glutamatergic neurons. Behavioral projects will be a start along with various doses of Zn2+ exposure in the food. 1st find out what concentration and exposure time is lethal to larval Drosophila. Then use a dose-response and examine larval crawling rate, mouth hook movement rate, and touch sensitivity. Also examine heart rate with chronic and acute exposure to Zn2+ as the heart is sensitive to Ca2+ and Zn2+ may pass through voltage gated Ca2+ channels. Examine if the glutamatergic synapses at the neuromuscular (NMJ) are also altered by acute and chronic exposure to Zn2+. Do this by stimulating the segmental roots in larval Drosophila and measure synaptic transmission with recordings in muscle fibers. Measures in the change in amplitude of the excitatory junction potentials will be examined. May also compare responses at the NMJ of crayfish to examine for similarities in response to Zn2+ exposure. Controlled enrollment.
Participation in biological research under the direction of a faculty mentor in Biology or a related field. A research contract signed by the student and faculty mentor must be approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Biology. Offered pass/fail only.
Participation in biological research under the direction of a faculty mentor in Biology or a related field. A research contract signed by the student and faculty mentor must be approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Biology. Offered pass/fail only.
BIO