Biology Commons^™

Physiological Processes During Reading, Elizabeth Morrey, Emma Smith, Catherine Bohn-Gettler, Jennifer Schaefer

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

There are many different variables that can impact reading comprehension, such as reading level, emotional state, and the content of the text itself. For example, if a text contains inconsistencies (e.g., when a key moment in the text does not align with the information presented earlier in the story), processing slows as readers attempt to resolve the inconsistency. However, little is known about the connection between processing inconsistent versus consistent passages and physiological responses in the body. The goal of this study is to examine whether reading narrative texts containing inconsistent and/or consistent information elicits sympathetic nervous system activation, as …

Seagrass Conservation And Restoration To Mitigate Ocean Acidification And Climate Change, Tori Benson, Emi Wagner, Jaeger Reed

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

For millennia, various seagrass species have been sequestering and anchoring aquatic carbon into oceanic sediment. The crucial role of seagrasses involves helping mitigate climate change, which emphasizes the urgent need to conserve, sustain, and manage them as part of global climate action efforts. Restoration and conservation studies have shown significant reversal of potential damaging effects, however human activity continues to set back efforts faster than they can proceed. Multiple studies have concluded that there has been a decline in seagrass meadows in previously dense areas; and due to this, surrounding pH levels have declined and rising atmospheric carbon poses a …

Seeing Eye To Eye? Comparing Faculty And Student Perceptions Of Biomolecular Visualization Assessments, Josh T. Beckham, Daniel R. Dries, Bonnie L. Hall, Rarchel M. Mitton-Fry, Shelly Engelman, Charmita Burch, Roderico Acevedo, Pamela S. Mertz, Didem Vardar-Ulu, Swati Agrawal, Kristin M. Fox, Shane Austin, Margaret A. Franzen, Henry V. Jakubowski, Walter R. P. Novak, Rebecca Roberts, Alberto I. Roca, Kristen Procko

Chemistry Faculty Publications

While visual literacy has been identified as a foundational skill in life science education, there are many challenges in teaching and assessing biomolecular visualization skills. Among these are the lack of consensus about what constitutes competence and limited understanding of student and instructor perceptions of visual literacy tasks. In this study, we administered a set of biomolecular visualization assessments, developed as part of the BioMolViz project, to both students and instructors at multiple institutions and compared their perceptions of task difficulty. We then analyzed our findings using a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative analysis was used to answer the following research questions: …

Unveiling Novel Avenues In Mtor-Targeted Therapeutics: Advancements In Glioblastoma Treatment, Shilpi Singh, Debashis Barik, Karl Lawrie, Iteeshree Mohapatra, Sujata Prasad, Afsar R. Naqvi, Amar Singh, Gatikrushna Singh

Biology Student Work

The mTOR signaling pathway plays a pivotal and intricate role in the pathogenesis of glioblastoma, driving tumorigenesis and proliferation. Mutations or deletions in the PTEN gene constitutively activate the mTOR pathway by expressing growth factors EGF and PDGF, which activate their respective receptor pathways (e.g., EGFR and PDGFR). The convergence of signaling pathways, such as the PI3K-AKT pathway, intensifies the effect of mTOR activity. The inhibition of mTOR has the potential to disrupt diverse oncogenic processes and improve patient outcomes. However, the complexity of the mTOR signaling, off-target effects, cytotoxicity, suboptimal pharmacokinetics, and drug resistance of the mTOR inhibitors pose …

Environmental Isolate Developing Antibiotic Resistance By Complementation, Mary Ridgeway, Ashley Fink, David Mitchell

Biology Faculty Publications

Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern within the scientific community. With few new antibiotics being introduced and an increasing number of resistant microbes, routine bacterial infections are becoming more difficult to treat in clinics and hospitals. The purpose of this study is to compare the ability of two environmental isolates – Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Exiguobacterium undae (E. undae) to grow in solutions of increasing concentrations of tetracycline and ciprofloxacin. After the bacteria showed grow in the solutions, antibiotic susceptibility was tested by examining zones of inhibition on Trypticase Soy Agar (TSA) plates. Our results …

Anterior Chamber Depth In Mice Is Controlled By Several Quantitative Trait Loci, Demelza R. Larson, Allysa J. Kimber, Kacie J. Meyer, Michael G. Anderson

Biology Faculty Publications

Anterior chamber depth (ACD) is a quantitative trait associated with primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG). Although ACD is highly heritable, known genetic variations explain a small fraction of the phenotypic variability. The purpose of this study was to identify additional ACD-influencing loci using strains of mice. Cohorts of 86 N2 and 111 F2 mice were generated from crosses between recombinant inbred BXD24/TyJ and wild-derived CAST/EiJ mice. Using anterior chamber optical coherence tomography, mice were phenotyped at 10–12 weeks of age, genotyped based on 93 genome-wide SNPs, and subjected to quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis. In an analysis of ACD among …

Community-Derived Core Concepts For Neuroscience Higher Education, Audrey Chen, Kimberley A. Phillips, Jennifer E. Schaefer, Patrick M. Sonner

Biology Faculty Publications

Core concepts provide a framework for organizing facts and understanding in neuroscience higher education curricula. Core concepts are overarching principles that identify patterns in neuroscience processes and phenomena and can be used as a foundational scaffold for neuroscience knowledge. The need for community-derived core concepts is pressing, because both the pace of research and number of neuroscience programs are rapidly expanding. While general biology and many subdisciplines within biology have identified core concepts, neuroscience has yet to establish a community-derived set of core concepts for neuroscience higher education. We used an empirical approach involving more than 100 neuroscience educators to …

Microbial Biofortification: A Sustainable Solution To Feed 10 Billion People, Perrin Thompson, Kathryn Tschida

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

No abstract provided.

Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus Amphibius) Aggressive Behaviors In The Retima Hippo Pool, Orangi River, Tanzania, Lydia Hoffman, Connor Veldman

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

Hippopotamuses (Hippopotamus amphibius) are known to forage on land during the night and spend the daytime in shallow pools to thermoregulate and to protect their skin from UV radiation. Daily use of pools may lead to competition for space and facilitate aggressive interactions between hippopotamuses. In this study, we looked at the difference in occurrence of aggressive behavior in the morning and evening hours between hippopotamuses (hippos). Our hypothesis was that hippos will be more aggressive at different times of the day, and we predicted that the higher aggressive activity will be in the morning hours, as hippos …

The Effect Of Light Availability On Planktonic Communities Under The Ice In Stumpf Lake, Samantha Schug

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

Ice cover is a part of the yearly cycle in bodies of water that are exposed to temperatures below the freezing point. Though the body of water is completely covered, many communities under the ice are still present and active during this time. I hypothesized that as the area cleared of snow increased, the increased light availability under the ice will cause a decrease in zooplankton abundance, as they avoid light and increase the chlorophyll concentration. Three different light availabilities were imposed on the ice by clearing three different sized areas of snow on the ice (0m, 1m and 2m). …

The Influence Of Gmos On The Composition Of The Gut Microbiome, Shawnia Rakhshani, Hailey Wight

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

Genetically modified organisms have been used for decades in agriculture across the world. The use of GMOs has been advertised as a solution to many agricultural issues. However, people have raised concerns about GMOs reshaping human health, and more importantly, the composition of the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome has a vital role in human health through digestion, immune abilities, and protection against disease-causing bacteria. If any disturbances occur in the microbiome, it can have negative effects on an individual’s overall health and wellbeing. Our paper investigates the pros and cons of ingesting GMOs in relation to our human gut …

Ecophysiological Implications Of Low Lignin In Eastern Leatherwood (Dirca Palustris L.), Anna Cole, Kayla Marie Rigdon, D. Gordon Brown, Katharine Lora Cary

Biology Faculty Publications

Dirca palustris L. (eastern leatherwood) is an understory shrub found throughout much of eastern North America. Dirca palustris wood has a low concentration of lignin, which is a molecule that grants structural rigidity to cell walls. The branches of D. palustris are thus remarkably flexible, but their low lignin content could cause greater vulnerability to water stress. We examined the conductivity, vessel anatomy, and field water potential of D. palustris and conducted ecological surveys. The data showed that D. palustris was not experiencing substantial drought-induced dysfunction in the field, even during an exceptionally hot and dry summer. Its water potentials …

Arsr Family Regulator Msmeg_6762 Mediates The Programmed Cell Death By Regulating The Expression Of Hnh Nuclease In Mycobacteria, Xiangke Duan, Xue Huang, Junqi Xu, Xue Li, Jingjing Niu, Xiaoli Du, Xiaoyu Wang, Jiang Li, Michael Kelly, Jiaohan Guo, Ke Zhang, Yu Huang, Biao Kan, Jianping Xie

Biology Student Work

Programmed cell death (PCD) is the result of an intracellular program and is accomplished by a regulated process in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Here, we report a programed cell death process in Mycobacterium smegmatis, an Actinobacteria species which involves a transcription factor and a DNase of the HNH family. We found that over-expression of an ArsR family member of the transcription factor, MSMEG_6762, leads to cell death. Transcriptome analysis revealed an increase in the genes’ transcripts involved in DNA repair and homologous recombination, and in three members of HNH family DNases. Knockout of one of the DNase genes, MSMEG_1275, …

Rethinking Public Health Risk Mitigation Strategies: Recognizing The Biosocial Nature Of Covid-19, Grace Savard

CSB and SJU Distinguished Thesis

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has rippled throughout every aspect of society and influenced how we live, breathe, and interact with one another. The purpose of this thesis is to explore the interdisciplinary biosocial impacts of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the resulting disease, COVID-19. In order to understand the complexities of caregiving during COVID-19, we conducted 75 semi-structured interviews with 55 healthcare providers across 18 states over a span of two years. This research assesses how COVID-19 risk mitigation strategies were designed with the primary intention to stop the spread of the virus rather than account for the longer-term social and biological …

Navigating The “Covid Hangover” In Physiology Courses, Jennifer E. Schaefer

Biology Faculty Publications

Undergraduate educators and students must navigate lingering aftereffects of the COVID pandemic on education in the 2021–2022 academic year even as COVID continues to impact delivery of undergraduate science education. This article describes ongoing difficulties for undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students and educators and suggests strategies and easy-to-use resources that may help educators navigate the “COVID hangover” and ongoing COVID-related disruptions.

Understanding Differences In Underrepresented Minorities And First-Generation Student Perceptions In The Introductory Biology Classroom, Jacob Jantzer, Thomas W. Kirkman, Katherine L. Furniss

Biology Faculty Publications

We used quantitative methods to better understand the perceptions of students in an introductory biology course (Biology 101) at a small, liberal arts college (SLAC) that is also a primarily white institution (PWI). In pre/post surveys, we asked students questions related to their attitudes and beliefs about their professor, classmates, and Biology 101. We were especially interested in the responses and outcomes of underrepresented minorities (URM) and first-generation (FG) students. Our findings suggest URM and FG students have a decreased sense of belonging and increased perceptions of exclusion and differential treatment due to race. These findings can explain, in part, …

Jen Schaefer’S 2021 Induction Ceremony Address: "Astrocytes, Allostasis And The Liberal Arts", Jennifer Schaefer

Phi Beta Kappa Lectures

This is the 12th cohort of students who have been inducted into the chapter, which now counts just under 800 members.

Jennifer Schaefer, associate professor of biology and the department chair at CSB/SJU who received Phi Beta Kappa recognition while attending St. Olaf College as an undergraduate student, speaks on “Astrocytes, Allostasis and the Liberal Arts” about the importance of the liberal arts for scientific advancement and in students’ lives as they leave CSB/SJU.

The group includes 42 seniors and 11 juniors, and they represent five countries and 11 states. Those selected are Phi Beta Kappa members for life, and …

The Saint John's Maple Syrup Operation: Something Sweet For Everyone, Sarah Gainey, Kyle Rauch, Stephen G. Saupe

Biology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Minnesota’S Third Tufted Duck, Philip C. Chu

Biology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Lava Heron Fishing Success: The Impact Of Water Depth, Ellen Munshower, Brianna Westendorf

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

The Galápagos Lava Heron (Butorides striata sundevalli) is a small bird that is endemic to the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. It is territorial and primarily preys on small fish. Currently, there is little research on these herons, so any information will be helpful in better understanding their ecological processes. During a biology course on the islands (July 2017), we observed the hunting patterns of herons specifically their strike patterns. We hypothesized that Lava Heron’s fishing practices would differ depending on water depth. We predicted the successful strike rates would be higher in shallower water, and herons would more likely to hunt …

Effects Of Green Led Light On Lentinula Edodes Respiration And Biomass, Jacob Hauger

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

Light has not traditionally been thought to influence the growth of fungi, however, recent evidence suggests that limited exposure to green light can cause an increase of biomass production in the hyphal cells of Lentinula edodes (Shiitake Mushrooms). The dry and fresh weight, volume and respiration rates of a control group and a light-treated group of commercially-grown shiitake mushrooms were measured. Results will be presented.

Individual Variation In Physiological Training Load During A Division Iii Soccer Season, Tristen Zimmerman

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of soccer training during a DIII soccer season on the physiological response of training load. Training load was assessed by tracking individual player heart rates during all training sessions and games. Training load was scaled for each player throughout the season and average responses were characterized for individual positions.

The Effects Of Low Dissolved Oxygen Concentrations On Diving Behavior And Lactate Accumulation In Lithobates Pipiens, Benjamin R. Thompson, Tristen M. Zimmerman

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in bodies of water can differ based on geographic location, time of day, or even climate change. Because frogs acquire approximately 20% of their oxygen across the skin, decreases in DO could negatively affect diving behavior by increasing reliance on anaerobic metabolism and formation of lactate. To evaluate this possibility, we measured pulmonary and cutaneous oxygen exchange as well as blood lactate levels before and after a 30-minute dive period under both saturated DO (8.341 ± 0.042 mg/L) and low DO conditions (3.918 ± 0.597 mg/L). Although frogs diving in a low oxygen environment tended to …

Sugar Concentration In The Tree Sap Of Five Species Of Minnesota Trees, Mark Ellman, Michael Ellman

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

Tree sap can be collected from a variety of species in Minnesota, including sugar maple (Acer saccharum), box elder (Acer negundo), red maple (Acer rubrum), paper birch (Betula papyrifera), and ironwood (Ostrya virginiana). The sap of different species contain varying concentrations of sugar, important for determining the amount of sap needed to boil down into a volume of syrup. In general, previous literature has shown that sugar maples have the highest concentration of sugar, followed by red maple, birch, and box elder. The sugar concentration of ironwood is as of yet unknown. The purpose of this study was to confirm …

Calcium Concentration In Tree Sap Of Five Species Of Minnesota Trees As An Indicator Of Sugar Sand, Michael Ellman, Mark Ellman

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

Tree sap can be collected from a variety of species (sugar maple, birch, ironwood, box elder, red maple) in Minnesota. When the sap of sugar maple trees and others are cooked into syrup, a cloudy mixture of minerals precipitates out. This precipitate, called sugar sand, gives syrup an unpleasant taste and can clog up machinery if improperly managed. Sugar sand primarily consists primarily of calcium malate. Thus, calcium concentration can be a good indicator of how much sugar sand would precipitate out if sap is processed into syrup. In general, previous literature has shown that sugar maple sap has the …

Fast Plants And Gene X Environment Interactions For The Biology 202 Laboratory, Toni R. Gohman

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

Phenotypic plasticity is the ability for a single genotype to produce multiple phenotypes in response to environmental variation. The phenotypic plasticity of a genotype is described by its norm of reaction, and norms of reaction for different genotypes might suggest that each is favored by a different environment. In this experiment, we established a fertility gradient and produced norms of reaction for a variety of measures of plant performance using two strains of Wisconsin Fast Plants (“Astro” and “Dwarf”). The Dwarf variety performed best at low fertility levels, while the Astro variety performed best at high fertility levels. Using these …

Analysis Of Potential Archaeal Ner Endonuclease Homologs Using Saccharomyces Cervisiae, Toni R. Gohman

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

The nuclease proteins involved in eukaryotic nucleotide excision repair (NER) have been identified and are ubiquitous for most eukaryotes, including XPF (3’ endonuclease) and XPG (5’ endonuclease). Proteins with similar structures have been identified in archaeal genomes and have been shown to exhibit endonuclease activity, but their overall cellular functions have not been elucidated. The proteins Hef1 and Bax1 in archaea are two of such proteins that are candidates for homology with the XPF (Rad1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae) nuclease. By inserting plasmids containing archaeal genes coding for these possible homologous nucleases into Saccharomyces cerevisiae without Rad1 gene (ΔRad1) and then …

Una Solución Para La Continuidad De Cuidado Médico Para Los Latinos E Hispanos, Alexandria Daggett

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

En el sistema médico en los Estados Unidos, hay varias barreras al acceso adecuado, especialmente para la población latina e hispanoparlante. En adición a las barreras que tienen varios grupos minoritarios en acceder el sistema de salud, los latinos e hispanos que no hablan el inglés tienen barreras idiomáticas y culturales. El sistema de intérpretes no es suficiente para atender las necesidades de los latinos e hispanos con dominio limitado del inglés. Es necesario que el sistema sanitario use un modelo exhaustivo para servir major a partidarios, navegantes y pacientes. En esta obra, voy a discutir la importancia de la …

Behavioral Response Of Amano Shrimp With A Predatory Stimulus, Paul Flanagan, Mitchell Muske

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

Amano Shrimp Evasion in Response to Predatory Stimulus This study observed the physical behavior of the crustacean Caridina multidentata, more commonly known as amano shrimp, and their response when introduced to a predation-like stimulus. This research sought to understand how amano shrimp are affected by the presence of fish and possible predation. This research carries significance as it could indicate whether the shrimp are affected by the water they’re in, and if that affects their capabilities to carry out their main commercial purpose. This study specifically looks at the amano shrimp and its ability to evade predation when exposed to …

Hibernator And Non-Hibernator Responses To Acute Changes In Water Intake, Sydni S. Andruskiewicz

All College Thesis Program, 2016-2019

Hibernating animals undergo dramatic changes in metabolic rates during torpor. One of most notable changes in these animals is the ability to maintain blood pressure and perfuse certain organs. Consequentially, blood perfusion to the kidneys is greatly decreased and the ability to concentrate urine halts. However, about once a week, torpor is interrupted and the animal becomes active to rewarm itself about once a week. This activity induces rapid regeneration of the extracellular osmotic gradient of the kidney, and allows urine to be concentrated. Nonetheless, regaining the extracellular osmotic gradient creates a potentially fatal consequence to the kidney cells. To …