College

Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences

Date of Last Revision

2023-05-08 17:30:01

Major

Biomedical Science

Honors Course

BIOL 499

Number of Credits

2

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Date of Expected Graduation

Spring 2023

Abstract

This study looks at the effects of e-cigarette vapor with and without nicotine on the aggression behavior of crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). The treatment groups were control, nicotine, and non-nicotine. The mass, sex, and condition of their appendages were recorded before random assignment. For the purpose of this study only male crayfish were used as there were not enough female crayfish. The crayfish were then randomly assigned to each group and contained ten crayfish that were subjected to the e-cigarette vapor infused water environment for a twenty-four hour period. The control group did not contain e-cigarette vapor and was exposed to dechlorinated water. Individual crayfish were then selectively paired with crayfish of similar mass and use of their appendages. Crayfish with one normal claw and one deformed claw were removed from the study as it gave them an unfair disadvantage against the normal crayfish. A crayfish pair was introduced to a new habitat for a total of ten minutes. Their aggressive interactions were then recorded and scored based on previously identified actions. T-tests were run on the recorded data that yielded p-values that signaled the e-cigarette vapor did not yield statistically significant data meaning e-cigarette vapor may not affect aggressive behavior.

Research Sponsor

Dr. Brian Bagatto

First Reader

Dr. Alan Snow

Second Reader

Dr. Donald Pryor

Honors Faculty Advisor

Dr. Brian Bagatto

Proprietary and/or Confidential Information

No

Comments

A special thank you for Dr. Bagatto without whom this would not have been possible! In addition, thank you to Dr. Pryor and Dr. Snow for their contributions as well!

Included in

Biochemistry Commons

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