Faculty Sponsor
Michael Watters
College
Arts and Sciences
Department/Program
Chemistry
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Symposium Date
Summer 7-24-2024
Abstract
This experiment aimed to test the limits of environmental extremes that Neurospora crass could withstand. Due to our limited ability to manipulate all conditions simultaneously, these conditions were studied independently. To study low-pressure effects on N. crassa, inoculated plates were placed in a vacuum chamber at varying pressures to see what growth effects would transpire, including the search for the threshold for development. High gravity experiments were conducted by inoculating nutrient media tubes, running them in a centrifuge at increasing speeds, measuring in revolutions per minute, and finally evaluating growth length up the sides of the tube. This procedure allows us to see how the fungi grows directly against gravity. The low-pressure experimental results showed that N. crassa was not completely hindered by lowering the pressures and when compared to the control, both sets of conditions grew about the same. High-gravity experimental results showed a negative linear relationship between relative centrifugal force and average growth up the centrifuge tube. The low and high gravity, low pressure, and temperature experiments suggest that Neurospora crassa may survive and grow in the environment found on Mars should the proper nutrients be available.
Recommended Citation
Cleveland, Siobhan; Livengood, James; and Watters, Michael, "Understanding Environmental Impacts on N. crassa" (2024). Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium. 196.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/sires/196
