Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi,

I am doing my science fair project on the effect of light on the bioluminescence of marine dinoflagellates. I ordered the pryocystis lunula dinos and i adapted them by giving them 12 hours of sunlight and 12 hours of complete darkeness but they still wont produce light! My science fair is due February 24, and i have to have it completed the procedure by the 18th! I would be super graeful if you guys would please give me advice on what i should do .

**PLEASE RESPOND A.S.A.P!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!**

Hi,
This is a really good project, but you do need results. I think you are doing this problem:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p033.shtml

Here is an abstract of a journal article that investigated different conditions for inducing bioluminescence in Pyrocystis noctiluca. This might give you some clues to try.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_o ... archtype=a

Please answer the following questions to help solve the problem:

1. Have you verified that the dinoflagellates are growing?
2. What is the temperature?
3. What kind of mechanical stress are you using to stimulate bioluminescence?
4. Have you varied the time of day?

I'm sure there is a good solution to the problem. Please include more details about your experimental set-up.

Donna Hardy