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Testing for Coacervates:
Finding protocells
Laboratory 2, AP Biology
Abstract. In trying to find protocells, two tests were conducted over the course of one day. Indicators were necessary for this process of pinpointing what the pH level was and if it was possible to produce protocells. Tests were conducted to find pH levels and producing protocells that mimic characteristics of living cells. The results were pretty consistent in that the pH level rose and protocells were produced by adding 0.1M HCl to a coverslip. The results were analyzed and concluded that protocells were in fact created.
Introduction
This lab was conducted to test how protocells could in fact be created and if they mimicked the characteristics of living cells, and testing pH levels in different environments. The significance of this test was to create protocells and test different pH levels by changing the amounts of acid present.
We ran two different tests involving pH strips and Hydrochloric acid on a coverslip, the initial tests were to see pH levels in different environments and the Hydrochloric acid was to create protocells. Once testing the pH levels we hypothesized if protocells would show up on the microscope. We decided to put the mixture on the coverslip and place it under the microscope. After finding protocells under the microscope, we added more drops to the gelatin and making the solution clear again, then placed a drop on a new pH slip, which changed color to a higher number, meaning is was more basic. We concluded that at the start of the test, it was more acidic and as the test went on, it was more basic.
Methods
All of our testing was done within the classroom with the supervision of Mrs.Wootton. We started by establishing a control group (that being the group before the added drops of acid), and tested its pH which was close to that of neutrality(a close 7). We then added a 4 drops of HCl or till it turned cloudy and tested the pH of the solution, which resulted in a slight not very significant change in pH to a 6. Then after adding the acid we viewed the solution under the microscope, taking notes and pictures of what we saw and what was observed. After sketching, picture taking, and recording we then added plentiful drops of acid (about 9) back into the solution. From there the solution turned back to a relatively clear substance again.
Results
After aggregating about 4 drop of HCl to our ratio mixture, we noticed that the presence of coacervates. They shared the same components of living cells in the sense that they had a structure and a membrane, means of adapting to their environment, and responded to stimuli. The coacervates were close but not quite living cells given the fact that they didn’t have: DNA or RNA, a brain, and don't have a specific function to fulfill, and lack a basic genetic makeup. Although not considered to be living, Coacervates gives us a good insight as to what could have been like 5.4 billion years ago and how we reached the point where we are now. By noticing how a simple protein, carbohydrate, etc. behave we can better understand how real cells would have behaved before life began on earth. Once done we “killed” the formed coacervates simply by disrupting the pH balance in their environment, which in fact coacervates prefer to be neutral.
Discussion
Although protocells were created, life was not. Our findings were consistent with our hypothesis, coacervates do exhibit some life-like qualities but are not considered living. Molecules that form proteins, carbohydrates, and other substances form an irregular size and then begin to display these properties of living cells. However, they are simply protocells.
Protocells expressed similarities with living cells. The coacervates had relatively similar structures and even included a membrane. They are capable of absorbing nutrition. In contrast with living cells however, these protocells are unable to maintain homeostasis. When we disrupted the balance and altered the acidity of the pH level the coacervates died because they were not able to respond to the negative feedback and adjust accordingly.
In order to be considered living coacervates would need to be able to demonstrate abilities that living cells do possess. The cells would need to be able to create nucleic acids, DNA and RNA in order to reproduce and create identical cells. The protocells lacked a nucleus or a brain, as a means to control cellular actions. These processes are necessary in sustaining life. Overall, the protocells would need to be able to present more complex abilities.
While coacervates were created, they were created because we humans had manipulated with a solution. It was not created in a natural environment. This information could provide valuable insight into the beginning of life on planet earth but more research into this topic would need to be conducted. It is possible that clusters of materials such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids etc. formed together which eventually formed living cells but there is no evidence to suggest so. The field of biology would benefit from investigation in discovering the link between the protocell and the living cell, and seeing if the link truly does exist.
Conclusion
The purpose of this lab was to attempt to create a protocell and observe their characteristics. We were testing different the cell’s characteristics by changing the pH levels. We have been able to conclude that protocells were in fact created using this experiment based on our results. The protocells that were created from this experiment were not efficient enough to create a self-sustained movement pattern, however, they were able to express basic characteristics of a living cell. They were microscopic organisms observable only by a microscope. Coacervates differ from life in that they are not able to fully function like a natural cell can. Coacervates would need to be able to reproduce themselves before they could be considered living.
Works Cited
Reece, C. (2014). AP Biology. Pearson.
Wootton, K. (2014). Organic Compounds Investigation and Notes. Coppell: Wotton, Kim.
Hanczyc, M. (2011). The Line Between Life and Not-life.
Photos
Testing for Coacervates:
Finding protocells
Laboratory 2, AP Biology
Abstract. In trying to find protocells, two tests were conducted over the course of one day. Indicators were necessary for this process of pinpointing what the pH level was and if it was possible to produce protocells. Tests were conducted to find pH levels and producing protocells that mimic characteristics of living cells. The results were pretty consistent in that the pH level rose and protocells were produced by adding 0.1M HCl to a coverslip. The results were analyzed and concluded that protocells were in fact created.
Introduction
This lab was conducted to test how protocells could in fact be created and if they mimicked the characteristics of living cells, and testing pH levels in different environments. The significance of this test was to create protocells and test different pH levels by changing the amounts of acid present.
We ran two different tests involving pH strips and Hydrochloric acid on a coverslip, the initial tests were to see pH levels in different environments and the Hydrochloric acid was to create protocells. Once testing the pH levels we hypothesized if protocells would show up on the microscope. We decided to put the mixture on the coverslip and place it under the microscope. After finding protocells under the microscope, we added more drops to the gelatin and making the solution clear again, then placed a drop on a new pH slip, which changed color to a higher number, meaning is was more basic. We concluded that at the start of the test, it was more acidic and as the test went on, it was more basic.
Methods
All of our testing was done within the classroom with the supervision of Mrs.Wootton. We started by establishing a control group (that being the group before the added drops of acid), and tested its pH which was close to that of neutrality(a close 7). We then added a 4 drops of HCl or till it turned cloudy and tested the pH of the solution, which resulted in a slight not very significant change in pH to a 6. Then after adding the acid we viewed the solution under the microscope, taking notes and pictures of what we saw and what was observed. After sketching, picture taking, and recording we then added plentiful drops of acid (about 9) back into the solution. From there the solution turned back to a relatively clear substance again.
Results
After aggregating about 4 drop of HCl to our ratio mixture, we noticed that the presence of coacervates. They shared the same components of living cells in the sense that they had a structure and a membrane, means of adapting to their environment, and responded to stimuli. The coacervates were close but not quite living cells given the fact that they didn’t have: DNA or RNA, a brain, and don't have a specific function to fulfill, and lack a basic genetic makeup. Although not considered to be living, Coacervates gives us a good insight as to what could have been like 5.4 billion years ago and how we reached the point where we are now. By noticing how a simple protein, carbohydrate, etc. behave we can better understand how real cells would have behaved before life began on earth. Once done we “killed” the formed coacervates simply by disrupting the pH balance in their environment, which in fact coacervates prefer to be neutral.
Discussion
Although protocells were created, life was not. Our findings were consistent with our hypothesis, coacervates do exhibit some life-like qualities but are not considered living. Molecules that form proteins, carbohydrates, and other substances form an irregular size and then begin to display these properties of living cells. However, they are simply protocells.
Protocells expressed similarities with living cells. The coacervates had relatively similar structures and even included a membrane. They are capable of absorbing nutrition. In contrast with living cells however, these protocells are unable to maintain homeostasis. When we disrupted the balance and altered the acidity of the pH level the coacervates died because they were not able to respond to the negative feedback and adjust accordingly.
In order to be considered living coacervates would need to be able to demonstrate abilities that living cells do possess. The cells would need to be able to create nucleic acids, DNA and RNA in order to reproduce and create identical cells. The protocells lacked a nucleus or a brain, as a means to control cellular actions. These processes are necessary in sustaining life. Overall, the protocells would need to be able to present more complex abilities.
While coacervates were created, they were created because we humans had manipulated with a solution. It was not created in a natural environment. This information could provide valuable insight into the beginning of life on planet earth but more research into this topic would need to be conducted. It is possible that clusters of materials such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids etc. formed together which eventually formed living cells but there is no evidence to suggest so. The field of biology would benefit from investigation in discovering the link between the protocell and the living cell, and seeing if the link truly does exist.
Conclusion
The purpose of this lab was to attempt to create a protocell and observe their characteristics. We were testing different the cell’s characteristics by changing the pH levels. We have been able to conclude that protocells were in fact created using this experiment based on our results. The protocells that were created from this experiment were not efficient enough to create a self-sustained movement pattern, however, they were able to express basic characteristics of a living cell. They were microscopic organisms observable only by a microscope. Coacervates differ from life in that they are not able to fully function like a natural cell can. Coacervates would need to be able to reproduce themselves before they could be considered living.
Works Cited
Reece, C. (2014). AP Biology. Pearson.
Wootton, K. (2014). Organic Compounds Investigation and Notes. Coppell: Wotton, Kim.
Hanczyc, M. (2011). The Line Between Life and Not-life.
Photos