Our group project started out with us wanting to experiment with the circadian rhythm of P. fusiformis our experiment objective was to see if the amount of light/dark ratio had an effect on the of bioluminescence. The usual light/dark ratio of P. fusifromus is 1/1; that is 12 hours of light with 12 of dark. Deciding to exposing the P. fusiformus to light/dark three different ways; 6 hours of light fallowed by 6 of dark, 12 hours of light with 12 hours of dark, and 24 hours of light with 24 hours of darkness. Keeping the basic 1/1 ration but with different frequencies. By changing the length of time P. fusiformus is exposed to light/dark we anticipated the growth rate and bioluminescence properties to change. We thought that by changing the frequency by 2 and .5 would show us over stimulation and under stimulated. That is there 24 hour cycle would possibly over work the bioluminescence of P. fusiformis while the 6 hour cycle might not give enough stimulation for the algae to biolumines. These are based on what we see happen to land plants, however the algae could act differently. For example, P. fusiformis could be capable of re-aranging itself to self-regulate its light/dark cycles. If P. fusiformis is capable of this movement that would aid in light absorption and prevent overexposure. We know that P. fusiformis hasn’t had to develop like land plants, so how it reacts to light cycles is probably different. For our experiment we need three tanks that are temperature regulated, grow lights on timers (with the right light waves for the growth/bioluminesence of P. fusiformis.) along with black out screens to prevent light during the dark section of the cycle. To examine this function we need lots of equipment; thermometer, light sensor, co2 meter, ph strips, saline solution, nitrogen and phosphorous. Unfortunately we do not have access to a good enough light sensor to complete this experiment. The blue bioluminescence that P. fusiformis produces is too dim for the light sensor to read. This is especially true if we were to try to record the process with any sort of camera. The light a camera needs to produce a picture would drown out the light the P. fusiformis can produce.Our group project started out with us wanting to experiment with the circadian rhythm of P. fusiformis our experiment objective was to see if the amount of light/dark ratio had an effect on the bioluminescence.

Methods:

what you will need to conduct this experiment

• Light meter
• 150mL beaker
• 100mL beaker
• aluminum foil
• light fixture
• temperature meter
• water bath
• fish tank heater rod
• 1,000 mL small mouth flask
• 50mL P. fusiformis
• pH tabs
• light timer
• black tarp of some-sort
• scotch tape
• two milk crates
• extension cord
• LabQuest
• two pennies
• large (15″x7″x7″) Tupperware container

Our goal for this experiment is to cause the algae (P. fusiformis) to bioluminess from motion we cause. i.e. stirring of the solution. From this reaction we will use video analysis to calculate the population of P. fusiformis through out our experiment.

So far we have set up the experiment and accommodated the algae. Currently we are trying to create a regulated temperature of 24 degrees Celsius to maintain the algae; they can withstand a temperature range from 22C-28C.