The pattern formation lab deals with spontaneous pattern formation in standing cultures of Tetrahymena. The honeycomb patterns formed in standing cultures of Tetrahymena have been linked to convection, chemotaxis, and cell-cell interaction, making this module not only useful as an independent biology lab but also potentially interesting as a cross platform vehicle for linking biology, math, and physics. Since various conditions affect spontaneous pattern formation and reaggregation, including media, cell density and environmental conditions, the lab lends itself to independent student inquiry and experimental design.
VIDEO
This very short clip shows a pattern forming in real time.
Module Protocols
Relevant Concepts
Science as a Process; Cell – Cell Interaction; Cell Response to Environmental Stimuli
Next Generation Science Standards Relationships
High School: HS-LS1-2 | HS-LS1-3 | HS-LS2-8
NYS Science Curriculum Guideline Relationships
Key Ideas 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 4.1 | 4.6 | 4.7
References
- Childress S, Levandowsky M, Spiegel EA. 1975. Pattern formation in a suspension of swimming microorganisms: equations and stability theory. 69 (3):591-613.
- Kage A, Asato E, Chiba Y, Wada Y, Katsu-Kimura Y, Kubota A, Sawai S, Niihori M, Baba SA, Mogami Y. 2011. Gravity-dependent changes in bioconvection of Tetrahymena and Chlamydomonas during parabolic flight: increases in wave number induced by pre- and post-parabola hypergravity. Zoolog Sci. 28 (3):206-214.
- Loefer JB and Mefferd RB. 1952. Concerning Pattern Formation by Free-Swimming Microorganisms. Am.Nat. 86 (830):325-329.
- Mogami Y, Yamane A, Gino A, Baba SA. 2004. Bioconvective pattern formation of Tetrahymena under altered gravity. J.Exp.Biol. 207 (Pt 19):3349-3359.
- Noever DA. 1991. Evolution of bioconvective patterns in variable gravity. Phys.Rev.A. 44 (8):5279-5291.
- Noever DA, Matsos HC, Cronise RJ, Looger LL, Relwani RA, Johnson JU. 1994. Computerized in vitro test for chemical toxicity based on Tetrahymena swimming patterns. Chemosphere 29 (6):1373-1384.
- Noever DA, Cronise R, Matsos HC. 1994. Preferred negative geotactic orientation in mobile cells: Tetrahymena results. Biophys.J. 67 (5):2090-2095.