ABSTRACT

The Illinois Junior Academy of Science

This form/paper may not be taken without IJAS authorization.

CATEGORY Environmental Science STATE REGION # 6

SCHOOL Niles North High School IJAS SCHOOL # 6038
CITY/ZIP Skokie, IL 60077 SCHOOL PHONE # 847.626.2254
SPONSOR Richard Thielsen

MARK ONE: EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION DESIGN INVESTIGATION

NAME OF SCIENTIST* Arooba Lodhi GRADE 12

NAME OF SCIENTIST GRADE
NAME OF SCIENTIST GRADE
NAME OF SCIENTIST GRADE

* If this project is awarded a monetary prize, the check will be written in this scientist's name, and it will be his/her responsibility to distribute the
prize money equally among all participating scientists.

PROJECT TITLE The Effect of Atrazine and Glyphosate on the Cell Development of Spirogyra Algae

Purpose: To observe the effects atrazine and glyphosate pesticides have on spirogyra algae cell division and chloroplast growth to
model the impact of herbicide runoff on drinking water sources in the Midwest.

Procedure: Two control groups containing spirogyra algae with no pesticide exposure, two groups containing spirogyra cultured with
atrazine water, and two groups containing spirogyra cultured with glyphosate water were observed. Over a period of three weeks, a
sample was collected daily from each group and using a light microscope, the number of filaments and the number of chloroplasts
present per filament were observed to determine if cell development was stunted.

Conclusion: The hypothesis was supported because the spirogyra exposed to atrazine had a lower count of filaments and the spirogyra
exposed to glyphosate had a lower count of chloroplasts in comparison to the control. All groups with pesticide exposure had
significantly low counts of filaments and chloroplasts because the addition of a harmful chemical weakened the internal systems of
spirogyra fragmentation and photosynthetic processes. Administering the pesticides in high doses and allowing them to persist in a
contained environment also contributed to weakening spirogyra cell division and chloroplast growth.

1) Limit Abstract to 3 paragraphs (about 200 words or less). a) Purpose - what you set out to investigate; b) Procedure - how you did
it; c) Conclusion - based on your results. Label each paragraph.
2) Must be typed, single-spaced on the front of this form. Do not write on the back of this form.
3) Three copies of your complete paper are required at the State Science Project Exposition.
Four copies of your complete paper are required for the State Paper Session Competition.

This form must be used. This form must be displayed on the front of the exhibitors display board. It may be reduced to
half a sheet of paper; 8.5 inches (vertical) X 5.5 inches (horizontal).