Testing the Veracity of Cope's Rule on Microorganisms

Overview

Objectives/Goals Cope#s Rule postulates that descending lineages of a certain species tend towards an increased body size. It has been hypothesized that larger sizes allow for greater genetic diversity, allowing larger individual of the species to adapt to the changing environment. The presented results are the product of exposing different groups of bacteria to a constant environment with one varied, hazardous, condition. The presented research originally attempted to find some parallels between microbial and macro-ecology. Methods/Materials Diluted Ultraviolet C radiation and a bleach-water solution were incorporated within the environment of 3 bacterial species: bacillus Cereus, bacillus Megaterium, and bacillus Thuringiensis. Results By finding the ratio of bacterial growth in the hazardous environment to the growth at optimal conditions, we tested the general ability each species possessed in adapting to its environment. Contrary to the belief that the largest species, bacillus Megaterium, would show the largest ratio of growth , in UV C light trials, the species Bacillus Cereus performed better. Under the UVC light, the bacillus Megaterium, Cereus, and Thuringiensis had a ratio of 0.65, 0.86, and 0.57, and under bleach, the ratios were 0.78, 0.64, and 0.31, respectively. Thus, the obtained results lead to mixed results, and debatable interpretations. Conclusions/Discussion With these uncertain results, definite benefits are not immediately visible. However, this uncertainty proves that size in microorganisms does not play as prominent of a role in evolution as it does in organisms of the kingdom animalia. This may prompt more research to find a link between the size and adaptability of microorganisms.

Competition history

• CSEF 2016 Microbiology (General) · Entry S1502

Resources

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