Type of Work
Research Paper
Publication Date
Summer 8-15-2021
Description
Prior literature has indicated that toxic metal exposure can alter the circadian clock rhythm and lead to biological and physiological dysfunction. The purpose of this research was to study the impact of chronic exposure to lead on the circadian rhythm patterns of Drosophila Melanogaster. Fly locomotive activity was used as a measure of strength of the circadian rhythm after exposure to lead. It was hypothesized that higher concentrations of lead would have a greater impact on the circadian locomotor activity patterns of exposed Drosophila, specifically on the transition periods between “Morning” and “Evening.” Young adult male flies(1-3 days post-eclosion) were exposed to concentrations of 100 mg/ml and 75 mg/m of lead for their entire development from egg to eclosion. This experiment uses the Drosophila Activity Monitor (DAM) System to record fly locomotor activity over six 24-hour cycles. The results produced a statistically non-significant but positive correlation between lead concentration and change in locomotor activity at masking transition periods.
Hamilton Areas of Study
Biology
Hamilton Sponsoring Organization
Levitt Public Affairs Center
Hamilton Scholarship Series
Levitt Summer Research Group Grant
Hamilton Faculty Advisor
Rhea Datta