Graduation Date
Spring 2020
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Master of Science degree with a major in Biology
Committee Chair Name
Bruce O'Gara
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Ethan Gahtan
Second Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Third Committee Member Name
John Reiss
Third Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Fourth Committee Member Name
John Steele
Fourth Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Fifth Committee Member Name
Amy Sprowles
Fifth Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Subject Categories
Biology
Abstract
Lumbriculus variegatus is a freshwater annelid that is well known for its regenerative capacity. There are many different factors that affect regeneration in animals. Cell-to-cell communication is a key component of regeneration. Gap junctions are made up of proteins that create a channel that connects the cytoplasm of two cells. Many molecules and ions pass through the gap junctions that can affect regeneration. The purpose of this study was to determine if blocking gap junctions would have an impact on regenerating body segments of L. variegatus and what effects it would produce. L. variegatus was exposed to a known gap junction blocker, octanol, for differing time periods following transection, then measured and photographed for six days. Worms treated with octanol experienced regenerative growth that was notably slower and also resulted in abnormal morphology of the regenerated tail. Octanol is known to leave the system immediately after treatment is taken away; however, L. variegatus did not show immediate recovery of growth when placed back into pond water. It is not clear whether there is a critical time period for exposure to octanol that affects regeneration; however, the duration of the exposure corresponded to the severity of abnormal morphology. The observations of the outcome of gap junction blockage on regenerative growth will contribute to the on-going research in areas of biology related to regeneration and gap junction communication.
Citation Style
CSE
Recommended Citation
Richmond, Monica K., "Effects of gap junction blockage on regenerating body segments of Lumbriculus variegatus" (2020). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 382.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/382