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The Effect of Caffeine on the Survival and Development of Mealworms

The Effect of Caffeine on the Survival and Development of Mealworms . By: Anna Gillin . Question . How does caffeine effect the growth, survival, and development of mealworms? . Research - Caffeine . Caffeine (C 8 H 10 N 4 O 2 ) is a drug that stimulates the nervous system

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The Effect of Caffeine on the Survival and Development of Mealworms

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  1. The Effect of Caffeine on the Survival and Development of Mealworms By: Anna Gillin

  2. Question • How does caffeine effect the growth, survival, and development of mealworms?

  3. Research - Caffeine • Caffeine (C8H10N4O2) is a drug that stimulates the nervous system • It gives consumers an increase in energy and can elevate mood • Caffeine is added to drinks and foods • Side effects vary according to consumer

  4. Research - Mealworms • Mealworms are the larva stage of the Darkling Beatle • Mealworms are part of the Tenebrio Genus and the T. molitor species • The larval stage of mealworms can last from 90 up to 114 days • As mealworms grow, they shed old shells and develop new ones.

  5. Hypothesis • The group of mealworms exposed to high levels of caffeine will lose more mass and have a higher death rate than the groups exposed to lower levels of caffeine.

  6. Materials • Wheat Bran • Corn meal • Shredded Newspaper • Mortar and Pestle • Digital Balance • 500 milligrams caffeine • 100 milligrams caffeine • 135 mealworm larvae • Square plastic containers • Metal screens • Distilled Water

  7. Procedure • The mealworms were divided into 3 groups: • Group A (no caffeine) • Group B (low caffeine) • Group C (high caffeine) • 15 mealworms were put into each box • The following solutions were made: • Group A: 100 mL of distilled water • Group B: 100 mgs ( ½ caffeine pill) in 100 mL of distilled water • Group C: 500 mgs (2 ½ caffeine pill) in 100 mL of distilled water

  8. Procedure • 50 mL of the solutions were mixed with 50 grams of wheat bran and 50 grams of cornmeal • The mass and survivors were measured after a week and new bedding, solutions, and food mixtures were made • The length of the experiment lasted 4 weeks

  9. Variables • Independent Variable- the amount of caffeine given to each group of mealworms • Dependent Variable- the effects that caffeine had on each group of mealworms and the number of mealworms still living • Control- the group of mealworms (Group C) that was not exposed to caffeine and only had food moistened by water • Constants- the type of container, metal screen, temperature, food, bedding in the container, and amount of mealworms in each group

  10. Data

  11. Data

  12. Data

  13. Data

  14. Data Graph 1 Graph 2

  15. Data ttest of the Number Dead ttest of the Percent Change in Mass ttest of the Percent Change in Mass/Organism

  16. Conclusion • The hypothesis stated that the mealworms exposed to higher levels of caffeine would lose more mass and have a higher death rate • The hypothesis was partially supported because caffeine had a negative effect on mealworms • It was rejected that varying levels of caffeine have different effects on mealworms

  17. Improvements • The temperature should remain constant • A different source of food should be used • The environment should remain consistent

  18. Further Studies • Different organisms could be tested with caffeine • The same experiment could be performed for the mealworms in their adult form as beetles • A wider range of caffeine levels could be used to see if different amounts of caffeine have the same effects

  19. Works Cited • Mealworm Store. (n.d.). Mealworm Facts and Information. In Mealworm Facts and Information. Retrieved 2007, from Mealworm Store website: http://mealwormstore.com/‌mealworm_info.php • Smith Life Science. (2009, September 29). Mealworm Diagram. In Mealworms. Retrieved October 5, 2010, from Smith Life Science website: http://www.smithlifescience.com/‌MLMealworms.htm • University of Arizona. (1997). Darkling Beetle/‌ Mealworm Information . Retrieved October 21, 2010, from Center for Insect Science Education Outreach website: http://insected.arizona.edu/‌mealinfo.htm • Majithia, N. (2008). Caffeine: Understanding the World’s Most Popular Psycoactive Drug. Retrieved October 7, 2010, from Journal of Young Investigators website: http://www.jyi.org/‌features/‌ft.php?id=1327 • Gavin, M. L., & Black, J. D. (2008). Caffeine. Retrieved October 19, 2010, from The Nemours Foundation website: http://kidshealth.org/‌teen/‌drug_alcohol/‌drugs/‌caffeine.html# • Kovacs, B., & Stoppler, M. C. (n.d.). Caffeine. In Caffeine [Caffeine, Health Effects, Statistics]. Retrieved October 5, 2010, from MedicineNet website: http://www.medicinenet.com/‌caffeine/‌article.htm • Lieberman, H. R., Tharion, W. J., Shukitt-Hale, B., Speckman, K. L., & Tulley, R. (n.d.). Biomedical and Life Sciences. In Effects of Caffeine on Sleep loss, and Stress on Cognitive Performance and Mood During U.S. Navy SEAL Training [Caffeine, Effects ]. Retrieved October 5, 2010, from SpringerLink website: http://www.springerlink.com/‌content/‌2bjn0v6dg712phw5/

  20. Thank You • Please feel free to ask any questions regarding my experiment.

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