Biology Commons^™

Distribution Of Plutonium In Beagle Dog Liver, Jeffery M. Gearhart

Biology ETDs

Plutonium that reaches the systemic circulation by inhalation, ingestion or through cuts or abrasions is preferentially deposited in the liver and bone. Liver cancer may be an important late effect of this deposition. This study was designed to provide improved quantita­tion of the distribution of plutonium deposited in liver as a result of gradual introduction into the blood by absorption from the lung, com­pared with the immediate introduction by intravenous injection of a soluble form. In this study, Beagle dogs were exposed to an aerosol of ²⁸⁰Pu0₂ or an intravenous injection of ²³⁸Pu or ²³⁹Pu-citrate. Animals …

The Effect Of Corticosteroid Therapy On Lung Immunity Following Localized Deposition Of Antigen In Lungs Of Beagle Dogs, Dorothy Victoria Leyva Harris

Biology ETDs

Inhaled toxic materials can interact with lymphoid tissues of the respiratory tract resulting in altered immune responses. To test the effect of immunosuppression on lung immunity, corticosteroids were administered to Beagle dogs systemically or directly into the lung. Specific lung airways were lavaged at 5, 7, 10, and 12 days after intra­pulmonary immunization with sheep red blood cell (SRBC) antigen. The cytology of the bronchoalveolar cells in lung lavages was evaluated, and lymphoid cells isolated from lung airways and from blood were tested by the Cunningham assay for in vitro production of antigen-specific IgM and IgG antibodies. In addition, the …

Respiratory Patterns And Oxygen Uptake In The Garter Snake, Thamnophis Elegans, James Whitney Hicks

Biology ETDs

Eight garter snakes, Thamnophis elegans, were collected in northern New Mexico during July and August. The snakes were kept in an environmental chamber and were entrained to a 141 (0630-2030 h) / 10D (2030-0630 h) cycle for five weeks at 25 C. Ventilation was monitored with a head/body plethysmograph. Pulmonary oxygen uptake was measured by open-system respirometry. Heart rate was recorded with electrodes implanted subcutaneously, bi-lateral to the heart. Ventilation, oxygen uptake and heart rate were measured simultaneously at 25+-1 C. All measurements were recorded continuously for 48-96 hours. As well as investigating the diurnal rhythms of ventilation, oxygen uptake …

Lectin Stimulated Human Neutrophil Migration And Cap Formation, Cynthia J. Kuehn

Biology ETDs

Neutrophils have been described as the secretory organ of the inflammatory response (1) and are the main effector cells in host defense against acute bacterial infection (2,3,4,5). However, the mechanism by which cells move directionally toward or away from an inflammatory focus is a biological phenomenon which is poorly understood. Chemotaxis, directional migration, has been defined as a change in the direction of locomotion of a cell or organism, initiated by substances in the environment (6). Chemokinesis, on the other hand, is a change in speed or frequency of turning in randomly moving cells, induced by substances in the environment …

Effects Of Barbiturates On Postsynaptic Responses In Aplysia Californica, Ila Leigh Cote

Biology ETDs

Barbiturates are widely used drugs, both as anticonvul­sants and anesthetics. However, their mechanisms of action are presently unclear although a number of hypotheses have been proposed to explain their effects. These hypotheses have primarily viewed the synapse as the site of barbiturate action.

The aim of this study was to elucidate some cellular mechanisms of action of the barbiturates and to suggest some correlations to their clinical properties. The effects of sodium phenobarbital and sodium pentobarbital on responses to iontophoretically applied neurotransmitters, primarily acetylcholine and gamma aminobutyric acid, were studied. The use of voltage clamp techniques in single neurons of …

Host Plant Preference In Two Generalist Herbivores, Jody Genelle Gray

Biology ETDs

The host plant preferences of two generalist lepidopteran herbivores were investigated at a field site near Albuquerque from 1977 to 1979. Observations of larvae in the field and measurements of available biomass for each host plant were combined to calculate preference rankings for host plants. Similarly, the relative preference of each herbivore for young or mature leaves was calculated. Both Estigmene acrea (Drury) and Hyles lineata (Fabricius) preferred to feed on Rumex hymenosepalus in the spring. H. lineata is univoltine and was not observed feeding on any other plant species. E. acrea is bivoltine and feeds on Senecio longilobus, Helianthus …

Steroid Hormones And Human Variability: Correlation Of Androgen Levels With Age And Occupation In Normal Subjects, Frances E. Purifoy

Anthropology ETDs

The endocrine system, coordinated with the central nervous system, is an important mediator of the genetic-environmental interactions which influence the development of human phenotypes. For this reason, endocrine parameters provide an important source of information for anthropological studies. This research focuses on the role of the endocrine system in normal human variability, with emphasis on the steroid hormones, which affect numerous aspects of mammalian morphology, physiology and behavior. Preceding the discussion of original research is an extensive literature review on hormonal variation in each of three areas: 1) sex and inter-individual variation, with emphasis on behavior; 2) variation with age, …

Comparative Functional Analysis Of The Masticatory Apparatus In Two Species Of Myotis, David Wesley Reduker

Biology ETDs

Comparative jaw and skull morphologies were analyzed in two closely related species of bats, Myotis volans (aerial insectivore) and Myotis evotis (foliage gleaner). Force vector analyses were performed on each muscle-bone lever system to determine the relative force produced at three designated functional points along the lower tooth row: the incisors, canine, and protoconid of the second molar. Results of the analysis indicate that Myotis evotis not only has a more powerful bite and grip than volans but it also has the potential for a much quicker jaw closure which is most effective at smaller angles of jaw opening. These …

Spatial And Temporal Activities Of The Yellow Mud Turtle, Kinosternon Flavescens, In Eastern New Mexico, Robert Charles Semmler Ii

Biology ETDs

Many small ponds in the eastern plains of New Mexico are inhabited by yellow mud turtles. Some of these ponds are permanent, but many dry out during the year. This makes the terrestrial activity of mud turtles an important aspect of their life history. When turtles were active within the ponds, they showed no preference for permanent over temporary water. There were always more females than males present in the ponds. As water levels receded, aquatic activity lessened and the turtles buried themselves just under the mud near the edge of the pond for a few days and then moved …

Herpetofauna (Anurans And Lizards) Of Eddy County, New Mexico: Quaternary Changes And Environmental Implications, John S. Applegarth

Biology ETDs

For interpreting environmental implications of Quaternary faunal changes, anurans and lizards are more informative than other vertebrates. Remains are analyzed from five sites in the limestone hills west of Carlsbad, Eddy County, New Mexico. The modern anuran and lizard fauna of Eddy County is reviewed in terms of habit requirements and known distributions and is used as a standard for interpreting prehistoric remains. Procedures are described for preparing comparative skeletons and for analyzing; prehistoric remains.

Aspects Of The Life History And Reproductive Biology Of The Socorro Isopod, Thermosphaeroma Thermophilum (Crustacea: Peracarida), Stephen M. Shuster

Biology ETDs

Life history and behavioral information on North American isopods are limited and non-existent for the genus Thermosphaeroma. The habitat of T. thermophilum allows easy and accurate collection of field and laboratory data. The relative absence of complicating evolutionary contexts facilitates investigation of sexually selected behavior and morphology. Males are larger than females. Reproduction and mortality are somewhat seasonal. Sex ratio is consistently male-biased, which is attributed to male searching for mates and avoidance of males by non-reproductive females. T. thermophilum is omnivorous. Reproductive timing by females and its contribution to sexual dimorphism are discussed. Males choose mates by size and …

Sulfate Transport In The Sulfate Reducing Bacterium; Desulfovibrio Gigas, Joseph John Ruocco

Biology ETDs

The characteristics and kinetics of sulfate uptake and reduction by Desulfovibrio gigas were studied using radio-labelled sulfate, in order to assess the nature of terminal electron acceptor transport with respect to current membrane transport theory. Although sulfate is not accumulated into an intracellular pool, it is transported across the cell membrane prior to reduction as evidenced by studies on the localization of sulfate binding and reduction by cellular fractions. Sulfate is rapidly bound by whole cells to a stead, -state level which is a function of extracellular sulfate concentration and the availability of an electron donor. Hydrogen sulfide evolution begins …

Cytotoxic Effects Of Vanadium On Pulmonary Alveolar Macrophages, Crystal Joy Sheridan

Biology ETDs

Particles containing vanadium are emitted into the air from fuel oil and coal combustion, and may be inhaled by man. Because such particles are within the respirable size, vanadium may be deposited in the alveolar region of the lung and come into contact with the pulmonary alveolar macrophage. In order to evaluate vanadium cytotoxicity, pulmonary alveolar macrophages were lavaged from dogs, rabbits and rats and then incubated with various concentrations of vanadium pentoxide. The minimum vanadium pentoxide concentration which reduced cell viability from control was 1 mg/m1 for dog macrophages, 2.5 mg/ml for rabbit macrophages and 10 mg/ml for rat …

Egg Recognition And Its Adaptive Significance In Colonial, Altricial Birds, Glen A. Lanier Jr.

Biology ETDs

Naturally occurring populations of three species of colonial, altricial birds, the Piñon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus), Great-tailed Grackle (Cassidix mexicanus) and Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) were tested for egg discrimination and the presence of intraspecific brood parasitism such discrimination would imply. Current theory predicts that, based on the intense pressure to increase personal fitness, brood parasitism, or cheating, should occur when a brood parasite's fitness is enhanced relative to a nonparasite's. Due to the high costs of parental care in altricial birds, selection against such cheaters (actual or potential) should also be intense. Egg rejection is the most common selection mechanism …

Natural Selection And Sex Change In Pandalid Shrimp: Test Of A Life History Theory, Eric Charnov

Biology Faculty & Staff Publications

This article presents a graphical approach to the genetical theory of sex change (similar to one recently applied to the evolution of simultaneous hermaphroditism). The graphs will help clarify a set of predictions to be tested against data from Pandalid shrimp. These shrimp are protandrous hermaphrodites (reproduce first as males). The goal is to use the genetical theory to predict the age of sex change. Since these shrimp show much geographic variation in this age, they provide a good opportunity to test the evolutionary model.

Simultaneous Hermaphroditism And Sexual Selection, Eric Charnov

Biology Faculty & Staff Publications

Theory about the evolution of sexual behavior in dioecious species is based on the general assumption that egg production is limited by a female's ability to garner resources to make eggs, not by a lack of sperm to fertilize them. Reproductive success for males is thus limited by access to females (and their eggs). I suggest that egg production by simultaneous hermaphrodites also obeys this principle--that fertilized egg production by an individual is not limited by sperm availability, but by resources allocated to eggs. If true, this suggests that sperm competition (reproduction success through male function) and a form of …

Unequal Sex Ratios In An Unhunted Mule Deer Population In New Mexico, Pamela Cotton

Biology ETDs

The adult sex ratio and the sex ratio at birth was determined for the unhunted mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) population occupying the riverbed area of the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro County, New Mexico. The adult sex ratio was computed as the number of yearling and adult males per number of yearling and adult females observed within the effective area of seven linear one-mile transects established on the study area in accordance with the Stake Estimator Technique (Evans 1975). The ratio of 586 males:501 females (117:100) was significantly different from a 50:50 ratio. No evidence was found for …

Clinical Identification Of Mycobacteria Using Character Order Separation Theory, Mary Beth Frankenfeld

Biology ETDs

The intent in undertaking this thesis project was to set up a practical, economic, and reliable method of species identification for Mycobacteria. This was directed specifically at the clinical laboratory setting.

I began by testing the commonly published identification

tests for accuracy and reproduceability. For many of the commonly used tests the reliability left much to be desired. Several months after beginning my research I learned of an evaluation method developed by Dr. Eugene Rypka at Lovelace Foundation. The evaluation method developed by Dr. Rypka (1960) is based on a separation of characters by considering positive, negative or variable results. …

Regulation Of The Immune Response To H-Y Antigen In The Mouse, Teresa A. Coons

Biology ETDs

The ability of female mice to reject tailskin grafts from male mice of the same inbred strain appears to be regulated by genes located in the major histocompatibility complex of the female recipient. Cell-meditated responses of “nonrejector” strain female mice, grafted with male tailskin, were studied to better understand regulation of the immune response to H-Y (male) antigen. Both in vivo and in vitro experimental systems were used. Survival of male skin grafts on splenectomized female recipients was compared with survival of grafts on untreated females and on splenectomized females reconstituted with spleen or thymus cell preparations. In addition, we …

The Genetical Evolution Of Patterns Of Sexuality: Darwinian Fitness., Eric Charnov

Biology Faculty & Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Specimen Catalog & Field Notes, Elizabeth Boyd

Division of Mammals - Field Notes and Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Dose Patterns For ¹⁰⁶Ruo₄ Inhaled By Fischer-344 Rats, Gene E. Runkle

Biology ETDs

Ruthenium-106 is an abundant fission product radionuclide in the nuclear fuel cycle which has potential for release as ruthenium tetroxide. This study was designed to provide additional data needed to adequately assess the risk for humans potentially exposed to ¹⁰⁶RuO₄vapor. Fiscner-344 rats were given a nose-only exposure to ¹⁰⁶RuO₄ vapor to determine its distribution and retention patterns. The largest percentage of the initial body burden was found in the nasopharyngeal region of the respiratory tract. Ruthenium-106 deposited in this region was rapidly cleared and excreted in the feces. Less than 1% of the initial body …

Vegetational Stabilization Of Uranium Spoil Areas, Grants, New Mexico, Nathan Edmund Kelley

Biology ETDs

Factors that could be detrimental to vegetative stabilization of uranium mine and mill waste material were examined. Physical and chemical analyses of materials from an open-pit uranium mine and material from three inactive mill tailing piles in New Mexico were performed. Analyses for selected trace elements in mill tailing material and associated vegetation from piles in New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah were also performed. Field and laboratory experiments identified problems associated with establishing vegetation on spoil material. Problems of uptake and concentration of toxic elements by plants growing on specific spoil material were also identified.

Ecological observations in conjunction with …

Resource Use, Habitat Selection, And Seasonal Activity Of A Chihuahuan Snake Community, Robert Paul Reynolds

Biology ETDs

Food habits and habitat selection were investigated in a snake community 1n northeastern Chihuahua, Mexico, from 1975 to 1977. A total of 418 snakes (20 species) was collected along Highway 16 from Villa Aldama to El Pastor. Examination of snake capture sites for the plant species present, and a study of structural characteristics of the vegetation and topographic features showed that snakes exhibited distinct habitat preferences. Rodent species present and their relative densities were assessed by 5400 trap nights at 18 trap stations.

Digestive tracts of 351 snakes of 16 species were examined and they yielded 153 food items. Rodents …

A Floristic Assessment Of The Datil Mountains, Reggie A. Fletcher

Biology ETDs

The Datil Mountains of west-central New Mexico were selected for a floristic inventory and analysis because of the lack of previous study in this section of the state. The location of the study area in relationship to the Basin and Range, Southern Rocky Mountain, and Colorado Plateau physiographic provinces was a major factor in determining the initial need for floristic work in the Datil Mountain area. An annotated checklist of the vascular flora of the study area was compiled. For those 590 collected taxa, available information was compiled which could serve as a useful tool for land management in this …

Ultrastructural Observations On The Cuticle Of The Desert Millipede, Orthoporus Ornatus (Girard) (Spirostreptidae): Effects Of Seasonality, Bound-Lipid Localization And Dri-Die 67 And Chloroform-Methanol Treatments, Leola Walker

Biology ETDs

In order to determine the effects of seasonality, bound-lipid localization, and treatments of Dri-die 67 and chloroform-methanol on the cuticular morphology of the desert millipede, Orthoporus ornatus, specimens collected west of Albuquerque in 1976-1977 were exposed to several experimental techniques. Because the dense nature of the cuticle presented difficulties in sectioning, a slightly modified procedure involving a vacuum oven was used in all experiments. A relatively standard procedure involving glutaraldehyde as a fixative and osmium tetroxide as a post-fixative was utilized in the descriptive and seasonal study. The method of Wigglesworth (1975a) was utilized in attempting to localize presumably protein-bound …

Immunization And Infection Of Rhesus Monkeys With Plasmodium Knowlesi: Evaluation Of Assays For Immunity, Robert Charles Jost

Biology ETDs

This study was done to test the efficacy of 3 malarial vaccine preparations using merozoite, schizont, and French press antigens (Ags). The experiment utilized the Plasmodium knowlesi - rhesus monkey system. In conjunction with this study the lymphocyte transformation test and the solid phase radioimmunoassay (RIA) were evaluated as in vitro assays for protective cell-mediated and humoral immune responses, respectively. Delayed dermal hypersensitivity reactions to P. knowlesi and the proportion of B and T lymphocytes were also examined by rosette formation. Lymphocytes from Ag-immunized monkeys showed greater in vitro blastogenic responses to P. knowlesi French press Ag than did lymphocytes …

The Role Of Seed Morphology In Identification Of Archeological Remains, Paul J. Knight

Biology ETDs

In the last century, archeologists working in the southwestern United States and in other localities around the world have uncovered a sufficient quantity and diversity of archeological-botanical materials to warrant serious investigation of these materials as a source of data on the subsistence of prehistoric populations.

The Distribution And Zoogeography Of The Mammals Of Sonora, Mexico, William Caire

Biology ETDs

A distributional and zoogeographical analysis based on published records and approximately 13,000 specimens is provided for the 122 naturally occurring mammalian species in Sonora, Mexico. Twenty-eight species of unverified occurrence which could be present in Sonora are discussed. Domesticated mammals are listed and introduced species are briefly discussed. Descriptions of the topography, climate, vegetation, and hydrological features of Sonora are included. Dichotomous keys provide for the identification of Sonoran mammals to the levels of order, family, and species. Species accounts include the following: scientific and common names, additional identification remarks, general distributional discussions, various ecological and biological remarks, records of …

Effects Of Inorganic Ions On The Catalytic Activity Of Pig Liver Phosphofructokinase, Lawrence Gregory Foe

Biology ETDs

The effects of inorganic ions on the catalytic activity of pig liver phosphofructokinase were investigated. High concentrations of monovalent anions inhibit the enzyme by decreasing max with little change in the Hill coefficient. The efficiency of inhibition follows the

series NO3- < Cl- < ClO3- = Br- < I- < SCN-, which is similar to the classical Hofmeister series. Low concentrations (< 2 mM) of the divalent anions Pi, sO4 2-, s2O3 2- SO32- , and MoO42- all activate the enzyme by changing the kinetics from sigmoidal to hyperbolic, with no change in V max . However, B4o72- has no effect. The apparent dissociation constants of the activating anions for the enzyme were calculated from activation curves for the anions at 0.5mM ATP and 1.0m MF6p.The activation curve for so4-2 is sigmoidal; the activation curves for the other activating anions are hyperbolic. The monovalent cations K+, NH4+ , and Rb+ activate the enzyme by increasing V max without greatly affecting the Hill coefficient.

However, the [S}0.5 for F6P is decreased by these cations to an extent directly proportional to their ionic volumes.

The monovalent cations Li + , Na+ , and C s + have no activating effect; instead, high concentrations of these cations inhibit the enzyme in a manner similar to the monovalent anions. The efficiency of inhibition follows the series …