RESEARCH PAPER
The Teaching Material Development about the Effects of UV Radiation and Photoreactivation Using Paramecium
2000 Volume 40 Issue 3-4 Pages 139-144
Details
2000 Volume 40 Issue 3-4 Pages 139-144
Ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated damage and photoreactivation in Paramecium tetraurelia (stock 51) were examined to introduce these phenomena into laboratory exercises in high school biology.
UV irradiation was carried out by a UV lamp (UV-B). After UV-irradiation at 500 J/m2 and 1,000 J/m2 the Paramecia were grown in the dark at 25°C for 6 days. The number of cells grown was higher with no radiation.
The Paramecium irradiated at 500 J/m2 and 100 J/m2 were exposed to fluorescent light (20,000 lx) for 24 hrs at 25°C, and photoreactivation effects were examined. This post-treatment with fluorescent light reduced the effects of UV radiation, remarkably. This result indicates that the UV-induced lethality was rescued by photoreactivation. However, the number of cells grown was higher with both UV and florescent light radiation.
We propose this experiment as a biology exercise in high schools, since it can be carried out with simple devices and results can be achieved in 6 days.
