Measuring Speeds

Research Paper # 103274

Biology > Molecular and Cell
Chemistry > Biochemistry

Measuring Speeds

This paper examines mobile eukaryotic cells.

1,063 words () | 5 sources | APA | 2006 Canada

Paper Summary:

The writer notes that the objective of the laboratory describe in the paper is to observe mobile cells and their characteristics. Three distinct samples are viewed: plant cells from an Elodea leaf, a eukaryotic animal cell called Tetrahymena pyriformis, and myofibrils from a rabbit muscle. The writer points out that when movement is detected in the plant and animal cells, it can lead to calculations of speed. Both intracellular and inter-cellular movement is exemplified in the samples. The writer notes that cells are not only observed under natural conditions, but also after biochemical alterations. The effects of these biochemical changes are also noted. The addition of methyl cellulose enables more accurate observation of the animal cells, since it reduces their speed. The writer concludes that when the ATP was added, the decrease in size proved that the myofibrils are responsible for the muscular function and that the muscle is dependant on the myofibrils successfully working together. However, each cluster of myofibrils appeared to be structurally independent, meaning it was not connected to any other cluster.

Outline:
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Discussion
References

From the Paper:

"The Tetrahymena cells were all similar in size, and were either circular or elliptical in shape. Their nuclei and cytoplasms were clearly seen, but any other organelles were difficult to distinguish. Whether they moved horizontally, vertically or diagonally, linear motion was consistent in all the cells. It also seemed like they each one followed a unique path across the field of view. After adding methyl cellulose to these cells, their movement became significantly slower, and deceleration continued until the cells stopped moving altogether. However, their movement also became random, sporadic and generally unpredictable, since they did not seem to be following any particular path. As well, some cells began moving in a circular motion, as if around an axis, and many cells began to gather in large groups once they stopped moving."

Sample of Sources Used:

BIOL 1010 6.0 Laboratory Manual. Biological Sciences- First Year Program. York University Department of Biology, Fall-Winter 2006-2007.
Campbell, Neil. Biology. 7th ed. 2004.
Mellgren, R.L, Repetti, A., Muck , T.C., and Easly, J. (1982) Rabbit skeletal muscle calcium-dependent protease requiring millimolar Ca2+. Journal of Biological Chemistry 257: 7203-7209.
Mogami Y., Yamane A., Gino A., et al. (2004) Bioconvective pattern formation of Tetrahymena under alterted gravity. Journal of Experimental Biology. 207(19): 3349-3359.
Vorob'ev V.N., Anisimov A.V., Golyandina L.V., et al. (2002) Water permeability of Elodea cells and cytoplasm motion. Journal of Plant Physiology. 159(9): 959-965.