Physiological Ecology Essay Example for Free

Physiological Ecology EssayABSTRACT genus Mytilus edulis or the common mussels, very commonly found around the British Isles coast, with immense commercial beds in the Wash, Morecambe Bay, Conway bay the estuaries of south- west England, north Wales west Scotland belongs to the phylum Mollusca e.g. snails, slugs, mussels cockles clams class Pelecypoda e.g. clams, cockles, mussels, oysters scallops. The Mytilus is an extremely widely studies specie, mainly because of its general distribution, abundance, ecological commercial importance. It is also used as a bio indicator. The objective of the study conducted was to divulge out the cause of respiration, water pumping activity environmental tense upes on the mussels exploitation.The environmental stress includes prolonged credit line exposure, low salinity its action combined with elevated temperature. The main focus was regarding the mount up harvest-home of the Mytilus. The mussels were challenged to a number of tests to determine their behaviour to record their response to different environments. The tests prove that Mytilus species that function in an uncontaminated demesne grow faster than ones that live in foul areas. This can be deduced effectively by the research conducted along with the experiments.INTRODUCTION Mytilus are usually present on the granitelike shores of open coasts attached to the rock surfaces in crevices, on rocks piers in sheltered harbours estuaries, often occurring as dense viewes in cooler waters of the universe of discourse usually extending from the Arctic to the Mediterranean in the North east Atlantic. Two important factors that play an important part in the growth life of Mytilus areTEMPERATURE it is a vital factor responsible for the growth limitation of mussels. Extreme low temperature causes damage in Mytilus but is minimised due to nucleating agents in the haemo- lymph. The Mytilus is prone to perilous freezing conditions sporadically in eve n moderate temperatures large adults can endure lab conditions of -16 degree C. easily for 24 hours are capable of surviving even if the waver temperature falls below -10 degree C. In Sweden, mussels actively ingested seston at -10 degree C., suggesting that they can utilise bombardment phytoplankton blooms in boreal waters even at low temperatures. M.edulis can tolerate high temperature desiccation as well, for example the British M.edulis has an upper keep up thermal tolerance limit of about 29 degree C. (Mytilus edulis)SALINITY in contrast with other(a) biogenic reef species, M.edulis can bear a wide range of salinity. But it is noted that it stops the feeding process when exposed to low salinities. The M. edulis adapts well to low salinities as low as 4-5 %. pictorial matter to 16% salinity for a month resulted in reduced shell growth as much as 26% to 32%, while in 22% exposure caused a minute drop in growth rate. When exposed to 13% the growth rate rec all overed from zero to more than 80% in 32% in a month.MATERIALS AND METHODSMaterials Incubation tubes, incubator, cotton, knob, benzoic acid,All samples were divided into four groups. Two groups of prestine A and prestine B were compared with foul A and polluted B. immemorial APristine BPolluted APolluted BCurves were drawn to compare Pristine A with Polluted A and Pristine B with Polluted B. With change of temperature change in pack was observed.Mytilus were cultured in flat trays measuring 20-40 cm. Two trays had pristine while be two were for polluted growth. Affect of temperature change was observed in all the four trays with consequently change in mass. Mytilus was put over the trays to be cultured.Tests conducted in five different labs are being analyzed to prove that the Mytilus favor a pristine environment as compared to a polluted one.LAB 1 This particular lab deals with the sinew sate in a food substrate or in animal tissue which is considered as the most important component for gr owth of any organism. The method used to determine the energy contented of biological materials is the micro- bomb calorimetry method by apply susceptible microelectrodes to assess the heat produced by igniting a pellet of dry tissue at bottom a stainless steel bomb. The normalization is obtained through a chemical having fixed energy content the temperature change can be transformed into energy content for the tissue. In order to deal with a midget sample, a micro- bomb calorimeter is used, filled with oxygen a small wire, that works like a light bulb filament is used to ignite the tissue Using the oxygen supplied by potassium dichromate a strong oxidizing reagent, contained with concentrated sulfuric acid, the tissue is burnt chemically. The orange Cr is reduced to jet Cr, while burning this change can be quantified using a spectrophotometer.LAB 5 By determining the effects of geometric constraints biological processes, the allometric isometric relationships of organism are studied. The lab deals with the examination of gill area, shell volume foot weight scale with the size of mussels observing how the size of the mussel effects the different biological processes. The allometric scaling is explained by equations of the form Y= Ax B the A as a constant, B an exponent, X is mass Y is a biological process. Allometric relationships are represented as curves on linear axes, but when plotted on log/log axes they pass straight. The scaling exponent of the function is determined by the slope of the line.LAB 6 This labs research aims to calculate the following at ambient temperature using a meticulous modeThe respiration rate of one mussel from polluted areaThe respiration rate of one mussel from a pristine areacontrol respiration The materials employed in this test are a fiber optic oxygen electrode indicating vestiges on the quenching of light emissions from a atomic number 44 compound due to oxygen presence, so as to calculate the flux of oxygen in due course.To measure the respiration rates, the mussels will be cover in individual restrained Respirometers, filled with seawater connected to an oxygen electrode conciliated with a slow flow of water from a peristaltic pump, in a separate chamber. Set up the oxygen system to record data every minute for an hour. lead a cleaned mussel, attach the lid submerge the chamber. Place the electrode in the holder attach hoses to pump chamber, so that the water is flowing past them, turning on the pump to slow. The data logging will go on for an hour start a mark for a downward slop in the recorded readings. Measure thevolume of chambers the water take aim in hoseslength of the mussel to estimate the tissue weightMussel volume to ascertain the exact volume of water in the chamber.LAB 7 The labs main annoying was to calculate the protein content in mussel tissues, by using the Lowry chemical assay, which comprises of combining a dye reagent with soluble protein to produce coloration that is directly proportional to the tote up of protein present. Protein is often used in physiological ecology as it plays a operable structural enjoyment by normalizing the data, through its direct association with functional components within the cells.Often in this experiment, the Bradford assay has been used since it is an alternate method for protein determination. Dilute copper tartar- ate solution is added to the protein that forms a complex. To develop the coloration, the Folin reagent is added to the protein copper complex, within 15 minutes it results in a blue color. This has a peak absorbance at 750nm can be quantified at this wavelength using a spectrophotometer. A calibration must be done with a known construction of known concentration of protein a calibrated line constructed. The reagents in the assay when reacted with a serial of known protein solution (0.2- 1.5 mg/ml) dissolved in a sodium oxide buffer to remove buffer effects in the calibration. Prepare a serial publication of clean 2ml snap cap tubes. The likely concentration series will be made by diluting the clove pink Bovine Serum Albumin from concentrations stockxx/10x/2x/43x/4 Into the 1.7 ml soap cal tubes, transfer 25ul of the standards then add 125ul of reagent A. swirl warily. In each tube add 1.0 ml of reagent B vortex carefully. Leave for 15 minutes then measure the absorbance against 750nm distilled water. Plot the protein content along the X axis the absorption along the Y axis to obtain the calibration line. The calculation of the calibrated line can be done to estimate the protein content X from an unknown absorption Y in the form Y= A BXLAB 9 This lab research is to study the functional attributes of spirit enzymes, employing a quantitative approach to their measurement. By using a simple spectrophotometric assay to quantify the enzyme citrate synthase in two populations of Mytilus, any possible consequences of this magnetic variation will be identified by its functional value. The enzyme Citrate Synthase limits the rate mediating the transfer of pyruvate into the TCA cycle as citric acid. The process determinesQuantification of CS activityQuantification of the protein content to allow the CS content to be normalized.The extraction of the living tissue in a way that the enzymes remain operative is the base, on which the reaction is pendant on. The DTNB is reduced by the CoASH which is a stiochiometric by product of the reaction. The DTNB changes color, as is reduced with a peak absorbance of 412um. The procedure relies on the extraction of the CS in a cold buffer. A small portion is diluted with an Acetyl-CoA solution, the reaction begins when the Oxalo- acetate solution is added, as a result the color changes which can be monitored in a spectrophotometer.RESULTS Results clearly show that genus Mytilus grow more in pristine as compared to polluted areas. There are several factors that affect mytilus growth in polluted areas.Graph po lluted A (obtained from polluted A readings)Lab 6The threshold salinity levels were recorded for the individual age groups consisting of a variation of behavioural response to salinity fluctuations. Low levels of water salinity below the critical values caused the isolating responses like closing the cerebral cortex cavity, withdrawal of siphons closing the shell valves in Mytilus. Another factor noticed was that the age did not influence the sensitivity of mussels to low salinity elevated temperature. just the older mussels exhibited a slightly lower critical salinity value after going through the fluctuations. The scope for mussel growth except under treatments of no algae high silt remained positive when carbon assimilation true, the rates of respiration excretion were balanced against energy intake. In estuarine systems, where the seston quality metre is variable, makes the mussels living there evolve a feeding strategy involving minimal metabolic cost, at the same time maximizes energy assimilation while getting food from the environment.DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS A number of factors can hinder growth of mytilus in polluted areas. In polluted areas the change in mass of mytilus was much greater with slight variations of temperature. However, contrary to this the change in mass was negligible in pristine area. Several factors can hinder growth of mytilus on polluted surface. Pollutant in water and air can hinder their growth. Pollutants also destroy the food stuff and nutrients, hence, the mytilus species whitethorn find difficulty in getting well nourishment. Environmental variations have also deep affect on their growth.The blue mussels can subsist in air for 10 14 days at a varying temperature from 10 -20 degree C. even longer at lower temperatures. Like many other intertidal mollusc, M. edulis uses a complex behavioural physiological bio chemical mechanism to tolerate prolonged periods of air exposure extreme salinity changes or other un - favourable environmental conditions.Mussels that are smaller medium in size are not as predisposed to air exposure unlike large mussels, mainly because of higher absolute values of metabolic rate in the large mussels. In our experimental research, the size did not play a role in option in air. The factors change from specie to specie, for example in some species of mussels the resistance increases the developmental age of the animal, and once it reaches the maximum level it may be possible that the process reverses. When blue mussels M. edulis were exposed to high concentrations of copper Antarctic scallop Adamussium colbecki to high concentrations of cadmium, the age factor did not influence the survival and the capacity to convalesce deteriorates with age.The physiological traits of food ingestion rate, carbon assimilation efficiency, and respiration excretion rates are integrated by the energy accessible for growth, by supplying a prompt quantitative estimation of the ene rgy status of the mussels. Conducting researched on this fact can provide insight into the growth process the influence of physiological activities. The Geukensia demissa or commonly known as the ribbed mussels can exert a profound influence on ecological processes of salt marshes on the Atlantic coast of North America.These mussel species are quite vulnerable to predators in the sub tidal area, since they have relatively thin shells however they are very much physiologically adapted to the extreme environment where they are exposed to 70% air of the tidal cycle, this exposure draws the mussels against some double-dyed(a) stress since they are unable to perform feeding, defecation other essential physiological functions due to limitation of time. The mussels favour a pristine environment overREFERENCESMytilus edulis Environmental Requirements (n.d.) UK marine special areas of conservation Accessed 4 December 2007 http//www.ukmarinesac.org.uk/communities/biogenic-reefs/br3_4.htmTy ler-Walters, H., 2007. Mytilus edulis. Common mussel. Marine Life Information Network Biology and predisposition Key Information Sub-program 14 September 2007 Plymouth Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Accessed 4 December 2007 http//www.marlin.ac.uk/species/Mytilusedulis.htmSukhotin, A.A. Lajus, D.L. Lesin P.A. (28 October 2002) Influence of age and size on pumping activity and stress resistance in the marine bivalve Mytilus edulis L Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology Accessed 4 December 2007 284 129 144 http//www.elsevier.com/locate/jembeHuang, S. C. Newell, R.I.E. (5 February 2002) Seasonal variations in the rates of aquatic and aerial respiration and ammonium excretion of the ribbed mussel, Geukensia demissa (Dillwyn) Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology Accessed 4 December 2007270 241 255 http//www.elsevier.com/locate/jembeEder1, E. B. Lewis, M. N. (28 April 2005) Proximate composition and energetic value of demersal and pelagic prey species from the SW Atlantic Ocean MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS series Accessed 4 December 2007Vol. 291 4352,Arifin, Zainal. Leah I. Bendell-Young (27 March 2001) Cost of selective feeding by the blue mussel / Mytilus trossulus as measured by respiration and ammonia excretion rates Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology Accessed 4 December 2007 260 259269 http//www.elsevier.nlrlocaterjembe