Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

how do you do a science fair project on the effect of uv rays on human eyesight without using a real human and is affordable and easy enough for students to do?

There are many organisms which can be substituted for humans. But first, it's important that you have an understanding of what UV rays do to living things. UV rays cause genetic damage in living cells; for more information search around on Google.

Although I am not aware of any substitutes that are particularly eye-like, yeast are often used to study genetic damage.

If you could give me a little more information about what exactly your goal is (what are you trying to prove or disprove)m I'll be able to give you more help.

SAFETY NOTE: UV light is damaging to human cells. Please consult with your science teacher or other qualitfied adult before using or being exposed to a UV light source. As you get your project further along, I can give you more specific safety tips.

hi, thanks for replying. um... i'm doing this project for my freshman biology class and it will be my science fair project. I just wanted to do something related to health that can somewhat benefit others. i want to prove that uv rays hurt our eyes so that is why people should where sunglasses.

That's great! Now that I know a little bit more about what you are trying to do (show that UV rays are damaging to eyes) I can give you more specific help!

In doing this project, it will be very important for you to know about the different kinds of UV light (UVA, UVB, UVC). Try an Internet search for information on these different types of UV light and how sunglasses protect the eyes. (Not all sunglasses protect the eyes from UV rays.)

At its most basic level, UV rays damaged cellular components. I would reccommend that you do research on how UV rays damage cells. Armed with this information, you can design an experiment that will replicate the eye as much as possible.

Let me know when you finish your research; then we can discuss exactly how you would like to run your project.

hi, thanks. um...i will try to do some research. but...............i actually dont have all that much time see, i am going to enter the biology class and my teacher assigned us to think of two topics on biology and write one specific question that i can conduct my experiment on. i chose health and wants to do the uv rays effect on eyesight experiment. but, i have to write exactly how i will conduct it and turn it in by this coming monday. could u possibly just help me think of a way to do this without using a human or an actual eye?

thanks, sorry for the hurry

Maybe you could work with onions. Take two sets of onion seeds and plant then. Place one half of the plants under UV light, the other under regular light. Let the plants grow for about two weeks past germination, and record the date of germination, number of leaves, etc. Then pull up the plants and make microscope slides of the onion. Count the number of cells in each slide that are in each stage of mitosis. Then analyze the data to see if exposure to UV light affects cell replication. You can then discuss the applications of your research, talking about UV damage to skin, eyes, plants, etc.

Work with your teacher to flesh out the details; I would reccomed writing a detailed procedure in step-by-step format. If you wish, you may post your procedures and I will review them.

It sounds like you on are your way to an excellent project![/list]

thanks a lot!

You are welcome. I wish you the best of luck; if you have any other questions or run into any problems, please post and let me know!

This science fair is really interesting. I was originally going to do something on flu vaccines or molecular evolution, but this idea is better. I am going to do this for my science fair. The question i have is: what is novel about this idea?

I am very glad that you are enjoying doing science fair.

Many things can make a project novel, such as your methods (how you did your project) your question (what you are trying to find out), or your applications (how does your research apply to the real world). As you search through the literature on your topic, you will gain a better idea of what makes your particular project novel.