Catalase and Superoxide Dismutase Activity in Response to Elevated Oxygen in Drosophila Melanogaster

Date of Graduation

Spring 1985

Degree

Master of Science in Biology

Department

Biology

Committee Chair

Albert Gordon

Abstract

The activity of three oxido-reductases that protect cells against free radicals were monitored in adult Drosophila melanogaster as a function of age in normal and 50% oxygen atmospheres. Difficulties in the logistics of organism maintenance and the need to extend analysis to the end of the lifespan required modifications and proportional reduction of volumes in standard assay techniques. Enzyme responses in two different wild type subcultures were identical. Peroxidase activity was not detected. Maintenance in higher oxygen affected the specific acitivity of catalase, especially in adults raised completely in the 50% atmosphere, but neither catalase nor superoxide dismutase showed evidence of induction beyond the normal level. The lack of increased production of these protective oxido-reductases in an environment presumed to produce more free radicals may be responsible for the reduced lifespan of Drosophila in the 50% oxygen atmosphere.

Subject Categories

Biology

Copyright

© Thomas Richard David

Citation-only

Dissertation/Thesis

Share

COinS