Anatomy/physiology science fair!

[biologybrit]

Hi I'm in a high level high school anatomy and physiology class. I need to do a science fair project but I do NOT want to use human subjects. I also can't use bacteria or microorganisms. I have a good background on biology and a decent chemistry background. My teacher is pretty lenient so ANY project ideas that relate to anatomy/physiology are appreciated!! I had an idea of effects of HCl on different types of food, but I have no idea how to execute/measure that. Help on my idea or new ideas?? THANK YOU!

[SciB]

Hi,

If you are wanting to do a science fair project on anatomy/physiology I don't see how you can succeed without using a living organism of some kind. Many physiological studies have been done with Daphnia (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2042/) and the roundworm, Caenorhabditis elegans (http://www.wormbook.org/chapters/www_in ... ology.html). These are great critters to work with. They are easy to grow and have relatively complex organ systems (compared to bacteria!) that can be easily manipulated externally and with responses that can be quantitated in the lab.

Here are some ideas from Scibuddies for projects using Daphnia or C. elegans:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p043.shtml
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p006.shtml
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... hp?t=10634

If you want to use one of these animals, let us know and we'll help you design a physiology project.

Good luck!

Sybee

[biologybrit]

Thanks for the idea but I can't use living organisms. Other kids are doing stomach enzymes, effect of soda on tooth enamel, or a model with kidneys/hearts. I'm just having trouble making an experiment out of it.

[SciB]

That really limits your choices of a project. I can't think of any inanimate, surrogate systems that you could use for studying physiology or anatomy. Maybe the other experts can come up with something.

There are electronic devices that mimic neuronal activity but they are pretty expensive I think. You could build a model of the lungs but what would be the point? Are you allowed to use computer models? Artificial intelligence or AI is a really interesting area of research I think and has great potential in creating 'thinking' machines: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_neural_network http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 091644.htm

I don't know how hard it would be to get access to one of these brain-research programs but it's a possibility for a project.

Sorry I can't be of more help. Maybe others can suggest a better anatomy/physiology project.

Good luck!

Sybee

[deleted-132180]

Hi there,

The experimental model/methods you use will very much depend on what question you would like to answer. What types of questions are you interested in? If you give us some details about your interests, we would be able to provide better advice in terms of the direction you can go for your science project. You mentioned that you want to look at effects of HCl on different types of food. Is that in reference to stomach acid and how much it can "digest" or "break down" different types of food? Let us know more details and we'd be glad to help you brainstorm!

Connie