The Effect of E.Coli K-12 on Planarian Regeneration

Overview

Stem cells are cells that become more differentiated to replenish cells that organisms have lost. These stem cells are often exposed to many environmental factors including bacteria and viruses. Planaria, which are flatworms, are a model organism to study stem cell differentiation due to their plethora of pluripotent stem cells, allowing them to regenerate huge sections of themselves. It was hypothesized that the bacteria would interfere with stem cell division by hindering the translation of polypeptides and using the cell's enzymes for its own purposes. It was predicted that the greater the concentration of Escherichia coli K-12 (E.coli K-12) the planaria were exposed to, the more days they would take to regenerate. Cultures of E.coli K-12 were grown and differing amounts of it were added to cut planaria’s water. The number of days the planaria took to regenerate, as well as the planaria’s original and final lengths, were then recorded. The hypothesis was supported by the data collected. However, the difference in the original and regenerated length was not statistically significantly different between different concentrations of bacteria. This may indicate that while external factors affect the time it takes for stem cells to divide, it does not stunt the long-term efficacy of the stem cells or planarian regeneration as a whole.

Competition history

• AJAS 2024 Category not listed

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