Pulsation Rate of Blackworms
“Pulsation Rate of Blackworms”
Antonio Cavazos
Biology 1107- 102 (Tuesday 1:00 – 3:50)
04/ 07/ 2009
Jose Fierro
Addison Rhudy
I. Introduction
For any animal that is too large and/or too complex a circulatory system is needed to obtain essential chemicals by the process of diffusion alone. A circulatory system transports nutrients, oxygen and other important chemicals to all body cells. This system have three components: circulating fluid, a heart or pulsating vessel in charge of pumping the fluid, and vessels through these fluids travels. There are two types of circulatory system. In an Open circulatory system, the vessels are open at one end allowing hemolymph fluid to flow among the cells. Most mollusks and arthropods have this type or system. In a closed circulatory system, the fluid is called blood and this fluid remains in the vessels as it circulates the body. Most vertebrates and annelids have this type of system.
The purpose of this laboratory exercise was to demonstrate and explain the effects caffeine on the circulatory system of blackworms and to test the hypothesis that high concentrated caffeine will double the heart rate pulsation of blackworms. Blackworms have several complex systems including a closed circulatory system: a complete digestive tract: and a nervous system, including a brain and a cord. Because of the transparent skin of the blackworm, its large dorsal blood vessel is very easy to see through the microscope. Since the rate of pulsation is easily seen and calculated it’s easy to test the effects of different chemicals on their cardiovascular system. Since it’s known that caffeine increases the blood pressure one might expect that the blackworms under the influence of caffeine will show a grater average of pulsation rate. II. Material and Methods
Materials:
• High concentrated caffeine
• Plastic pipette
• 4 blackworms
• Microscope
• Microscope slide
• 2 little bowl
Antonio Cavazos
Biology 1107- 102 (Tuesday 1:00 – 3:50)
04/ 07/ 2009
Jose Fierro
Addison Rhudy
I. Introduction
For any animal that is too large and/or too complex a circulatory system is needed to obtain essential chemicals by the process of diffusion alone. A circulatory system transports nutrients, oxygen and other important chemicals to all body cells. This system have three components: circulating fluid, a heart or pulsating vessel in charge of pumping the fluid, and vessels through these fluids travels. There are two types of circulatory system. In an Open circulatory system, the vessels are open at one end allowing hemolymph fluid to flow among the cells. Most mollusks and arthropods have this type or system. In a closed circulatory system, the fluid is called blood and this fluid remains in the vessels as it circulates the body. Most vertebrates and annelids have this type of system.
The purpose of this laboratory exercise was to demonstrate and explain the effects caffeine on the circulatory system of blackworms and to test the hypothesis that high concentrated caffeine will double the heart rate pulsation of blackworms. Blackworms have several complex systems including a closed circulatory system: a complete digestive tract: and a nervous system, including a brain and a cord. Because of the transparent skin of the blackworm, its large dorsal blood vessel is very easy to see through the microscope. Since the rate of pulsation is easily seen and calculated it’s easy to test the effects of different chemicals on their cardiovascular system. Since it’s known that caffeine increases the blood pressure one might expect that the blackworms under the influence of caffeine will show a grater average of pulsation rate. II. Material and Methods
Materials:
• High concentrated caffeine
• Plastic pipette
• 4 blackworms
• Microscope
• Microscope slide
• 2 little bowl
Cited: Ratcliff, Rachel. Lab Manual: General Biology II. 2009 ed. Bohrer. Student outline. ABLE 2005 Proceedings Vol. 27. 130-136.