Biology Commons^™

Determination Of The Dermacentor Variabilis Ferritin Gene Exon And Intron Structure, Dana Sylvestre

Honors College Theses

The American dog tick Dermacentor variabilis is a hard body, 3-host tick that relies on the blood of small and large mammals to satisfy its metabolic demands. The excess iron consumed in its blood diet can cause cellular damage through oxidation. Ticks rely on the ferritin protein to metabolize iron. For this reason, it is important to further characterize the ferritin gene. After extracting DNA from D. variabilis ticks, the suspected ferritin gene was amplified through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and purified. The putative ferritin DNA fragment was inserted into plasmids and isolated in a long PCR length gene cloning. …

Alternative Material Nest Boxes And Impacts On Nestling Physiology And Adult Behavior In The Eastern Bluebird (Sialia Sialis), Jamie E. Jackson

Honors Theses

In the mid-nineteenth century, Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis, a native cavity nesting species) populations experienced serious declines because of a decrease in natural cavities and the introduction of non-native, competitive cavity nesting species. The creation of nest box programs led to an increase in bluebird populations and these programs continue to be of importance. In this study, a recycled metal ammunition can was used as a nest box to determine if this was a viable resource for bluebirds. This work investigated the effects of this alternate material nest box on nestling physiology and adult behavior with special emphasis …

Regeneration After Destruction: An Investigation About Deforestation For Fruit Boxes In The Provinces Of Tungurahua And Pastaza, Ecuador, Julia Rogers

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

The extraction of wood for use as boxes for fruit in the region between Baos and Puyo in the provinces of Tungurahua and Pastaza in Ecuador is a large source of deforestation in the area. The purpose of the study is to examine the effect of this deforestation on the insects, birds, and seedlings to better understand the effects of small scale deforestation in the cloud forest of Ecuador. Six different sites were studied; 2 sites were cut within 2014, 1 site in 2012, 1 site is a forest of 4 to 8 years, and 2 sites are mature forest. …

Demographic Survey Of The Sohisika (Schizolaena Tampoketsana), James Lucas

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

The sohisika (Schizolaena tampoketsana; family Sarcolaenaceae) is a little-known, highly threatened angiosperm endemic to the forest fragments and savanna of the Hauts Plateaux region at Ankafobe Commune, Madagascar. Through targeted surveillance of sohisika at Ankafobe, this study aimed primarily to characterize the demography of the sohisika via GPS mapping of latitude, longitude, and altitude, through dendrometric measures such as height and diameter at breast height (DBH), and through calculation of distribution patterns via Morisitas index. Secondary goals aimed to describe the ecology of the sohisika within its environment and hoped to identify patterns between age class, aspect, habitat, and surrounding …

Heterogeneous Dynamics In Dna Site Discrimination By The Structurally Homologous Dna-Binding Domains Of Ets-Family Transcription Factors, Gaofei He, Ana Tolic, James Bashkin, Gregory Poon

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Works

The ETS family of transcription factors exemplifies current uncertainty in how eukaryotic genetic regulators with overlapping DNA sequence preferences achieve target site specificity. PU.1 and Ets-1 represent archetypes for studying site discrimination by ETS proteins because their DNA-binding domains are the most divergent in sequence, yet they share remarkably superimposable DNA-bound structures. To gain insight into the contrasting thermodynamics and kinetics of DNA recognition by these two proteins, we investigated the structure and dynamics of site discrimination by their DNA-binding domains. Electrophoretic mobilities of complexes formed by the two homologs with circularly permuted binding sites showed significant dynamic differences only …

"Luck Of The Draw:" Enhancing Safety In Equine University Sport, Angela Barbour

Honors Projects

Equestrian sports have the highest rates of injury across all sports with traumatic brain injury rates twice as high as those in football. The goal of this project is to make our university Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) athletes safer by creating an easy-to-use tool that athletes can apply to evaluate new horses they ride at competitions. The tool guides team members through evaluation techniques by providing important safety dimensions and scoring guidelines. An undergraduate majoring in biology with an interest in Veterinarian specialization developed the diagnostic tool. The tool allows evaluation of movement/quality of gaits, jumping ability, equine personality, …

Carbon Dioxide Sensitivity In Two Disjunct Populations Of The Pitcher-Plant Mosquito, Wyeomyia Smithii, Daniel L. Allen Jr.

Honors College Theses

The pitcher-plant mosquito, Wyeomyia smithii, utilizes carbon dioxide receptors primarily on their maxillary palps to seek potential hosts for blood meals. Two disjunct populations of W. smithii were analyzed to test for differences in carbon dioxide sensitivity that would correlate to varying levels of autogeny, ranging from the autogenous Northern populations (from North Carolina through Canada) to the anautonenous Southern populations (Florida – Louisiana), with the Georgia population exhibiting a shift from autogeny to anautogeny over the past two decades. I compared Georgia (Tattnall Co.) and Florida populations using blood feeding assays and olfactometry assays. Willingness to blood feed …

Reproductive Performance Of Kittlitz's Murrelet In A Glaciated Landscape, Icy Bay, Alaska, Usa, Michelle L. Kissling, Scott M. Gende, Stephen B. Lewis, Paul Lukacs

Wildlife Biology Faculty Publications

Kittlitz's Murrelet (Brachyramphus brevirostris) is a dispersed-nesting seabird endemic to Alaska and eastern Russia that may have experienced considerable population declines in some parts of its range in the past few decades. Poor reproduction has been suggested as the demographic bottleneck, yet there are no direct estimates of reproduction in a glaciated area where this species reaches its highest densities at sea during the breeding season. The lack of demographic information in glacial habitats has limited our ability to interpret population trends and to clarify whether the presence of glaciers affects reproductive performance. Between 2007 and 2012, we …

Family Planning, Pregnancy, And Birth In Guatemala: Maya Women And Modern Healthcare, Kelsay Payton

Honors Theses

Within Maya populations in rural Guatemala, childbearing is considered a sacred and spiritual experience, in addition to a physical one. This country is home to some of the highest rates of maternal and infant mortality in Latin America, along with the largest disparities in health care, primarily between the indigenous Maya and ladino women (Schooley 2009). The use of biomedical reproductive services remains surprisingly low among the Maya, while it is continually rising in the ladino populations. To increase the overall reproductive health care in these indigenous communities, attention must be given to the understanding of Maya’s beliefs, therefore enabling …

Phytoextraction Of Lead From Contaminated Urban Soils By Panicum Virgatum Enhanced With Phytohormone, Edta, Benomyl, And Citric Acid Application, Matthew Aderholt

Master of Science in Integrative Biology Theses

Lead (Pb) contamination in soil represents a threat to human health and cleanup efforts often requires expensive or environmentally disruptive techniques. Phytoextraction has gained attention as a possible alternative to traditional remediation methods because of lower cost and minimal soil disruption. Panicum virgatum L. (switchgrass) was chemically enhanced with applications of the soil-fungicide benomyl, chelates (EDTA and citric acid), and phytohormones for phytoextraction of Pb from contaminated urban soils in Atlanta, GA. EDTA is often regarded as the most effective chelate, but has potential problems associated with its use due to long persistence time in soil and possible Pb mobilization …

Convergent Losses Of Decay Mechanisms And Rapid Turnover Of Symbiosis Genes In Mycorrhizal Mutualists, Annegret Kohler, Alan Kuo, Laszlo G. Nagy, Emmanuelle Morin, Kerrie W. Barry, Francois Buscot, Björn Canbäck, Cindy Choi, Nicolas Cichocki, Alicia Clum, Jan Colpaert, Alex Copeland, Mauricio D. Costa, Jeanne Doré, Dimitrios Floudas, Gilles Gay, Mariangela Girlanda, Bernard Henrissat, Sylvie Herrmann, Jaqueline Hess, Nils Högberg, Tomas Johansson, Hassine Radhouane Khouja, Kurt Labutti, Urs Lahrmann, Anthony Levasseur, Erika A. Lindquist, Anna Lipzen, Roland Marmeisse, Elena Martino, Claude Murat, Chew Y. Ngan, David Hibbett

Biology

To elucidate the genetic bases of mycorrhizal lifestyle evolution, we sequenced new fungal genomes, including 13 ectomycorrhizal (ECM), orchid (ORM) and ericoid (ERM) species, and five saprotrophs, which we analyzed along with other fungal genomes. Ectomycorrhizal fungi have a reduced complement of genes encoding plant cell wall-degrading enzymes (PCWDEs), as compared to their ancestral wood decayers. Nevertheless, they have retained a unique array of PCWDEs, thus suggesting that they possess diverse abilities to decompose lignocellulose. Similar functional categories of nonorthologous genes are induced in symbiosis. Of induced genes, 7-38% are orphan genes, including genes that encode secreted effector-like proteins. Convergent …

Comparative Phylogeography And Demographic Histories Of West Indian Birds, Maria Wilhelmina Barbosa De Oliveira Pil

Dissertations

My dissertation investigates the demographic history of multiple island populations of several Caribbean bird species through an assessment of contemporary genetic diversity, while inferring relationships between the comparative demography of individual island populations and characteristics of the islands and species. The sizes and distributions of populations vary over time, and episodes of expansion and contraction create characteristic patterns of genetic variation within and among populations. Consequently, contemporary patterns of genetic diversity open a window onto demographic and phylogeographic history. The strength of the study lies in the scale and comprehensiveness of the analysis, encompassing most of the West Indian islands …

Estrogen, Bisphenol A, And Bisphenol S: Regulation Of Cathepsin L Activity And Its Relation To Systemic Lupus Erythematosis, Regina M. Powers

Biology Honors Papers

Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to self-destruct. SLE is nine times more frequent in women than in men, and it has been shown that there is a correlation between high estrogen levels and an increased severity of the disease. This raises a concern about environmental estrogens, including Bisphenol A (BPA) which is found in many plastic products in the United States. BPA can be absorbed by the foods and liquids that are held in the plastic containers and then can enter into the human body. Because of its structural similarity to estrogen, …

Non-Adaptive Phentypic Plasticity: Morphology, But Not Swim Speed, Of Spotted Salamander Larvae Is Affected By "Terrestrial" And "Aquatic" Herbicides, Mitchell Schooler

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

1. Phenotypic plasticity, although ubiquitous, may not always be advantageous. In cases where individuals expressing an induced phenotype outperform non-induced individuals, the phenotypic plasticity is considered adaptive. Conversely, if the individuals with an induced phenotype underperform relative to non-induced individuals, then the plasticity is maladaptive. A final possibility is that both induced and non-induced individuals perform equally well (or poorly). This would be a case of non-adaptive (i.e. neutral) phenotypic plasticity.
2. We investigated the mode of phenotypic plasticity induced by four glyphosate-based herbicides in larvae of the spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculatum (Shaw, 1802), by determining whether the herbicides induced different morphologies, …

The Regulation Of Cathepsin L Activity By Estrogen And Bisphenols A & S: Relationship To Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Dylan T. Cuva

Biology Honors Papers

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that is linked to increased levels of estrogen. Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental estrogen that may also play a role in SLE. BPA is used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, including use in the creation of cans and plastic bottles. This study investigated the role of BPA and other bisphenols on enzyme activity in a murine model for SLE.

Analysis Of The Diets Of The Northern Spotted Owl And Barred Owl, Valeria Briones

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

The Northern Spotted Owl, a once thriving species is now a threatened species and on the verge of endangerment. The Barred Owl, a species native to the eastern United States over the past few centuries has expanded its range into that of the Northern Spotted Owl, causing a major threat to the Northern Spotted Owl Populations. This paper is a synthesis of the existing literature of the diets of the Northern Spotted Owl and Barred Owl individually as well as in areas in which they occur sympatrically. With this summary of literature, the reader can gain an understanding of the …

Differences In Organization Of Neural Oxytocin Receptor Reflects Differences In Sex Behavior And Parental Care, Ryan A. Funke

Biology Undergraduate

Oxytocin (OXT) is a neuropeptide synthesized in the hypothalamus and stored in the posterior pituitary gland. Its most known functions include being involved in the stimulation of the uterus during childbirth and allowing for milk letdown in the process of lactation after birth. OXT has also been implicated to play a role in parental care and sex behavior. Specific binding to brain oxytocin receptors (OXTR) was observed by in vitro receptor autoradiography with an iodinated OXT analogue in the monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) and the polygamous montane vole (Microtus montanus). What was found was that OXTR density in the …

Some Agreement On Kin Selection And Eusociality?, David C. Queller, Stephen Rong, Xiaoyun Liao

Biology Faculty Research

The authors of "Relatedness, Conflict, and the Evolution of Eusociality" respond to objections raised by Martin Nowak and Benjamin Allen.

Analysis Of Sediment Reveals An Ecological "Regime Change" In Lake Hilary, Toni R. Gohman, Emily K. Kiolbasa

Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day (2011-2017)

Lake sediments contain excellent records of both fossils and component minerals that can be used to reconstruct regional ecological history. To complement ongoing studies of Lake Hilary’s pollen and macrofossils, we constructed a high-resolution record of the organic matter, carbonate, and non-carbonate mineral fractions of the lake’s sediment. The organic fraction is a proxy for the biological productivity of the pelagic, littoral, and shoreline of the lake. Non-carbonate minerals can evince erosion and subsequent aerial or fluvial deposition. Carbonate deposition can be related to lake productivity and chemical weathering in the surrounding watershed. We sought to compare our sediment record …

Optogenetic Manipulation Of Drosophila Larval Motor Circuits, Nicholas M. Devetter

Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day (2011-2017)

In order to identify specific interneuron populations involved in muscle contraction in Drosophila larva through ontogenetic manipulation of motor neural circuits, I used GAL4-UAS system to generate larvae with channelrhodopsin2 embedded in cell membranes of interneuron populations of interest. I collected extracellular recordings of muscles during contraction in the dissected Drosophila larva. ChR2-stimulated action potentials lead to depolarizing potentials and contraction in muscle cells if the interneuron population of interest is important for Drosophila crawling neural circuits. I compared recordings from negative control, positive control, and experimental populations to identify which interneuron populations are sufficient to generate muscle excitation. These …

Investigation Of The Effects Of Water Stress On Vigna Radiata And Brassica Rapus, Haley Chatelaine, Mariah Valiant

Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day (2011-2017)

Water is crucial to photosynthesis because it provides electrons for the light-dependent reactions. Additionally, plants decrease transpiration rate during drought in an effort to minimize water loss, resulting in changes in CO₂ uptake and photosynthetic rate (Vico, 2008; Özenc, 2008; Galmés et al., 2007). Water use efficiency (WUE), the ability of a plant to maintain photosynthesis despite water loss, is an essential component of determining plant performance in drought conditions. Previous studies have shown an association between water stress and increased WUE (Zhang et al., 2010). Therefore, we hypothesize that the photosynthetic rates in both the Vigna radiata (mung …

Preliminary Research On The Effects Of Freezing On Sugar Concentrations Of Artificial Sap, Elise V. Reid, Katee A. Meckeler

Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day (2011-2017)

Native Americans were one of the first people to harvest maple sap to make maple syrup or sugar. Three historically referenced methods that they used to accomplish this was by freezing, stone boiling, and direct fire (Holman Egan, 1985). Native Americans would make an incision in the bark of a maple tree and then collect the sap in a birch container; the sap would then be boiled by either of the first two methods or frozen. When frozen, the ice that formed on top of the sap would be thrown out and the concentrated sap would be collected for boiling …

Compensatory Review Addressing Acute Ischemic Strokes And Bell's Palsy, Patrick R. Godfrey

Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day (2011-2017)

In this study, I review the clinical diagnostic procedure for facial weakness; evaluate the physiological perspective of acute ischemic strokes and Bell's palsy; and assess possible consequences of Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA) treatment, and the ramification tPA has on Bell's palsy.

Oxytocin Therapy, Briana Macaluso

Biology Undergraduate

No abstract provided.

Turner Syndrome, Munif Almansoob

Biology Undergraduate

No abstract provided.

Gestational Diabetes, David D. Monin

Biology Undergraduate

No abstract provided.

Hlhs Is Caused By The Up Regulation Of Hif1Α Due To Hypoxia Caused By A Polymorphism In Enos, Tyler J. Bruinsma, Kevin T. Curwick, Leah Ellman, Jared M. Grootwassink, Thomas M. O'Toole

Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day (2011-2017)

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a rare congenital heart defect occurring in fewer than 0.5% of live births in the United States (Fruitman, 2000). It is characterized by a critically underdeveloped left ventricle with accompanying imperfections including septal defects, under-sized aorta, and underdeveloped bicuspid and aortic semilunar valves (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2012; CDC, 2013). HLHS is detectable on ultrasound at the end of the first trimester of pregnancy allowing for early diagnosis and potential treatment in utero. While a protocol involving three surgeries exists to treat the condition, there is no cure for HLHS. Even with treatment, many …

An Analysis Of Bacterial Contamination Of Chicken Eggs And Antimicrobial Resistance, Holly Spitzer

Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day (2011-2017)

Chicken eggs are a major component of American diets, with an average yearly consumption of approximately 250 eggs per person (according to estimates made by the American Humane Society). While highly nutritious, eggs are also one of the leading causes of food poisoning and food borne illness in the United States. Eggs may become contaminated by a number of different types of bacteria during production, including Salmonella, a group of bacteria that, according to the CDC, causes more than 1.2 million cases of food borne illness in the United States every year. In an effort to decrease the frequency …

Use Of Decongestants May Disrupt Cell Signaling Pathways That Control Tbx Gene Expression, Leading To Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, Melissa L. Quintanilla, Eric D. Boysen, Amy R. Knutson, Kyle J. Pundsack, Benjamin T. (Ben) Kor

Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day (2011-2017)

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) collectively refers to a range of congenital heart defects, all involving some degree of left ventricular hypoplasia, or underdevelopment of the left ventricle. Additionally, HLHS often involves coarctation of the aorta, and can also include hypoplasia of the ascending aorta, as well as mitral and/or aortic valve stenosis or atresia. HLHS is extremely rare, as it has been reported to occur in only 1 in 5000 live births each year. The cause of HLHS is currently unknown, however much research is being done to discover how and why these defects occur.

HLHS is known to …

Galápagos Sea Lion Behavior Differences In Relation To Human Exposure, Connor M. Piechota, Kevin R. Watson, Ryan J. Fuxa

Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day (2011-2017)

Our study examined the behavioral differences of the Galápagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki) in relation to human presence. Our main goal was to determine whether sea lions would be more aggressive as a result of high frequencies of human exposure. We hypothesized that sea lions would behave differently in relation to varying rates of human exposure and we predicted that there would be more aggressive and interactive behaviors on beaches with higher frequencies of human exposure (as the humans may disturb the normal behavioral patterns of the sea lions). Data was collected daily at low tide in two-hour …