Cilia: Growth and Regeneration

The cilia growth and regeneration lab offers a unique opportunity to manipulate an important cell organelle without killing the cell. Ciliary loss can be non-lethally induced in Tetrahymena by several methods, and cells are capable of regenerating their cilia in a few hours. However, in the mean time they are immobile, subject to increased predation and unable to feed. The lab provides an experimental approach to examining organelle growth by chemically inducing cells to shed their cilia, and monitoring regeneration by the resumption of swimming behavior monitored by time lapse photography or direct observation. The effects of external conditions on regeneration are easily monitored as well.

Module Protocols

High School

Relevant Concepts

Motility; Regeneration; Cell Response to Environmental Stimuli

Next Generation Science Standards Relationships

High School: HS-LS1-1

NYS Science Curriculum Guideline Relationships

Key Ideas 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 4.4 | 4.6

References