Patrice Durr |
SCHOOL: Alcorn State University
MAJOR: Biology Education MENTOR: Dr. Stephen D’Surney EXPECTED GRADUATION DATE: May 2002 ORGANIZATIONS & HONORS:
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ABSTRACT
Effects of Chlorpyrifos on Zebrafish and Mosquitofish
| According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), chlorpyrifos (Dursban) exposure can cause harmful effects and can lead to death. Because of the harmful effects of this chemical, EPA banned Chlorpyrifos on June 8, 2000. Chlorpyrifos inhibits the enzyme acetylcholinesterase that results in the accumulation of acetylcholinesterase that results in the accumulation of acetylcholine that causes death. In this experiment, five females were put in two concentrations of 50 and 100 along with a control group. Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) developmental stages and size were examined using chlorpyrifos as a toxicant. The developing embryos that were collected were observed during different developmental stages for developmental abnormalities. The intent of this current research is to better understand the relationship between the quantities of chemical to which the mosquitofish are exposed. This study did show that chlorpyrifos (Dursban) did have a definite effect on the mosquitofish and its’ young. |