The Effect of Ciprofloxacin and Lactobacillus rhamnosus

GG on the Development of Caenorhabditis elegans

Sharlene Manlongat
Niles North High School

Results

Error Analysis Data Analysis

Transferring C. elegans: from the original culture to the petri Line Graph 1: depicts trendlines of the daily C. elegans amount per trial. The
dishes. A sterile scalpel was used to cut off chunks in the
original plate to transfer into the newly prepared sterile NGM
similarity of these two trials’ trend lines indicated a definitive “normal” growth rate for
plates that were yet to be seeded. Each chunk was gently the control group. L. rhamnosus GG trials fluctuated the most, but had an overall curve
picked up with the scalpel. The petri dish lids were opened at similar to the control. All trials began at a range of 50 C. elegans then proceeded to end
an angle then the worm “chunk” was placed upside down.
Exposure to air has a potential for contamination which would with a range of 110 C. elegans thus suggesting a wide divergence in growth curves.
disrupt the results. Although no contamination was observed, Line Graph 2: depicts the trend per group (an average of the two trials per
there is still a potential error influencing the results. experimental group) and a slope trendline. The transparent slopes demonstrate the
Administering diluted solution of L. rhamnosus: Instances magnitude of progression in the amount of C. elegans per group. The projected slope of
of exposing the internal environment of the petri dish may the control group is greater than the rest with a slope of 6.11. Comparatively, the
result in contamination. The solution was not originally
administered into the nematode growth medium like
projected slope of the L. rhamnosus GG group is only 4.75. The slopes of the
ciprofloxacin. The diluted solution used deionized and sterile Ciprofloxacin group and Cipro/L. rhamnosus GG groups are most similar with slopes of
water and was administered via sterile pipette. Although it was 0.688 and 0.589 respectively. The group of Cipro/L. Rhamnosus GG had a higher
sterilized and contained only L. rhamnosus GG, there is still a
chance for data error caused by L. rhamnosus exposure even amount of C. elegans as indicated by the dark green line (LRGG/Cip) with a range of
though none was observed. 0-61 C. elegans compared to the yellow line’s (Ciprofloxacin) range of 0-24 C. elegans.
Pie Charts: illustrate the percentage of C. elegans within each size range of 0.2mm
Quantification of worm’s size: Each plate was divided into
four quadrants in eight pictures were taken with an inverted out of the total C. elegans counted per group. The outlier for growth in the upper half
microscope. Coupled with the worm’s behavior of burrowing (0.55-1.0mm) was Cip/LRGG group indicating a higher rate of development despite it’s
into the nematode growth medium, not all the worms
throughout the layers of the agar may be shown in each
lower numeral amount values. Whereas 40% for Ciprofloxacin at 0.05-0.25mm
picture. Given these reasons, error may have occurred to indicates a lower rate of C. elegans development compared to the Control’s 21.5%. The
influence the end result yet given the randomization and corresponding percentage values for the control and L. rhamnosus GG strongly
standard protocols taken to reduce error, these results can be
considered sound. illustrate a standard growth rate for both groups.