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Hello, my name is Susan Lopez.
I am currently enrolled at Mount Diablo High School, in the Medical and Biotechnology Academy. As apart of our academy we're working on conducting our own science experiments. My experiment will be focusing on the affects of radiation on microorganisms. My question is, What radiation dose is needed to affect the growth of microorganisms? Thank you for your time.
Radiation
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Re: Radiation
Hi Susan!
This sounds like a very interesting topic. I was searching on the Sciencebuddies site and I came across a few experiments which you could look at for some ideas as to how to best go forward with your project. The first looks rather straight forward https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ml#summary using some things you probably have around your house. The second, https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p030.shtml uses yeast to affect growth and guides you where to find instructions on how to build your own x-ray machine.
Please keep us posted as to how it goes and let us know if you have other questions. Good luck!
Nikki
This sounds like a very interesting topic. I was searching on the Sciencebuddies site and I came across a few experiments which you could look at for some ideas as to how to best go forward with your project. The first looks rather straight forward https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ml#summary using some things you probably have around your house. The second, https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p030.shtml uses yeast to affect growth and guides you where to find instructions on how to build your own x-ray machine.
Please keep us posted as to how it goes and let us know if you have other questions. Good luck!
Nikki
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Re: Radiation
Hi Susan,
Good project! In addition to Nikki's excellent information I would like to suggest that you consider testing the effects of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Sunlight contains UV and so most things on the planet are exposed to it more or less frequently. Fortunately the earth's ozone layer absorbs most of the sun's UV, otherwise humans might not survive. The potential for UV to damage microorganisms and human cells depends on its wavelength which is related to its energy (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraviolet).
Less energetic UV radiation, called UV-A is not normally harmful to humans or microbes but UV-B and UV-C which are more powerful can cause sunburn and damage to DNA that can in some cases lead to skin cancer.
For experimenting with UV effects on microbes you can buy inexpensive reptile lamps sold in pet stores that produce a measurable amount of UV-B (http://www.petsmart.com/reptile/heating ... 3Dcategory). There are also test strips that can be placed under the lamp to measure the UV dose (http://www.ats-sa.co.za/consumables/ir- ... st-strips/).
I hope this gives you more to think about in planning your project. Let us know exactly what you are interested in and which microorganisms you were planning to use. There is a wide range of sensitivity to radiation in living things. You could, for example, choose several types of single-celled or multicellular organisms and compare their response to various doses of radiation. Keep us posted and we will help you plan the project.
Good luck!
Sybee
Good project! In addition to Nikki's excellent information I would like to suggest that you consider testing the effects of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Sunlight contains UV and so most things on the planet are exposed to it more or less frequently. Fortunately the earth's ozone layer absorbs most of the sun's UV, otherwise humans might not survive. The potential for UV to damage microorganisms and human cells depends on its wavelength which is related to its energy (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraviolet).
Less energetic UV radiation, called UV-A is not normally harmful to humans or microbes but UV-B and UV-C which are more powerful can cause sunburn and damage to DNA that can in some cases lead to skin cancer.
For experimenting with UV effects on microbes you can buy inexpensive reptile lamps sold in pet stores that produce a measurable amount of UV-B (http://www.petsmart.com/reptile/heating ... 3Dcategory). There are also test strips that can be placed under the lamp to measure the UV dose (http://www.ats-sa.co.za/consumables/ir- ... st-strips/).
I hope this gives you more to think about in planning your project. Let us know exactly what you are interested in and which microorganisms you were planning to use. There is a wide range of sensitivity to radiation in living things. You could, for example, choose several types of single-celled or multicellular organisms and compare their response to various doses of radiation. Keep us posted and we will help you plan the project.
Good luck!
Sybee