Saddleback Journal of Biology - Saddleback College

Fall 2009 Biology 3A Abstracts
18. THE EFFECT OF GLUCOSE AND SUCROSE ON THE METABOLIC RATE OF
PAINTED LADY BUTTERFLIES (Vanessa virginiensis). Lauren Sevigny and Melody
Ramezani. Department of Biological Sciences, Saddleback College, 28000 Marguerite Parkway,
Mission Viejo, CA, 92692, USA
This study was carried out to examine if there was a significant difference between the effects of
glucose and sucrose on the metabolic rate of Painted Lady Butterflies (Vanessa virginiensis). It was
expected that there would be a significant difference between the two sugar solutions being tested. Two
sample groups containing six butterflies each were assigned and fed a 25% concentration of sucrose or
glucose for seven days to determine whether type of sugar has a significant effect on metabolic rates.
After a week, the metabolic rate was measured using a GLX Pasco system with a CO 2 probe. The results
showed that the average CO 2 production (ppm • sec -1 • g -1 ) of the sucrose group of butterflies was found
to be 1836.29 ± 18.10 (± se). The average CO 2 production rate (ppm • sec -1 • g -1 ) of the glucose group of
butterflies was found to be 747.73 ± 4.56 (± se). Results show there is a significant difference between the
mean mass specific metabolic rates of the two groups of butterflies (p = 0.002, two-tailed unpaired t-test).
The results indicate that sucrose requires more energy to be broken down than glucose, leading to an
increase in the organism’s metabolic activity, due to the fact that sucrose is a more complex molecule
therefore requiring more energy to break the molecule into usable compounds.
19. THE EFFECTS OF VITAMIN B12 ON THE MEMORY OF MUS MUSCULUS. Daniel J.
McIndoo and Sabrina N. Tamme. Department of Biological Sciences, Saddleback College,
28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, CA, 92692, USA
Over the past decade many companies have been producing supplements that promise to have
significant impact on the memory. One such supplement that is use in some of these products is vitamin
B12. Vitamin B12 has been linked to having positive effects on the memory of older people and
individuals suffering with Alzheimer’s. A majority of the experiments conducted with younger adults
have produced conflicting and inconclusive results. The hypothesis was that vitamin B12 would have a
positive effect on the memory of the common laboratory mouse (Mus musculus). Eight lab mice were
separated into two groups of four, one group supplementing with Vitamin B12 and the other group
supplementing with nothing (control). Before the vitamin B12 was administered an initial run was
conducted through a maze, constructed out of cardboard, for their times. The two groups of mice were
then run through the maze every three days for two weeks. The results of the experiment did not support
the hypothesis showing no significant difference for the positive effects on the memory of the mice. The
average time for the mice supplementing with vitamin B12 was 3 minutes and the average time for the
control group was 3.04 minutes. The t-test gave a value of 0.84 showing no significant difference.
20. THE EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE ON BLOOD GLUCOSE CONCENTRATION IN
HYLA REGILLA. Brian W. Capen and Paige H. Taylor. Department of Biological Sciences,
Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, California, 92692, USA
The adaptation of freeze tolerance (or winter cold hardiness) in ectothermic vertebrates, such as
amphibians, is an important acclimatization that ultimately allows survival when temperatures approach
freezing. The Pacific Tree Frog, Hyla regilla, possesses this ability. The cryogenic mechanism is
promoted by an increase in blood glucose levels as the environmental temperature approaches 0˚C. This
increase in blood glucose concentration helps prevent tissue damage during a temporary freezing or near
freezing episode. A group of Hyla regilla (n=6) were used in this experiment to investigate this
relationship. The frogs were cooled to an average temperature (1.13˚C). The blood glucose levels were
measured prior to and after the freezing protocol. The mean glucose concentration (prior to freezing) was
39 7.29 mg/dL (se, n=6), and the mean glucose concentration after freezing was 49 5.94 mg/dL (se,
n=4). During the freezing protocol, two frogs expired. A significant difference was found between the
groups (p=0.007, one tailed, paired t-test), indicating an increase in blood glucose levels as the
experimental temperature decreased.
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Saddleback Journal of Biology
Spring 2010