the effect of asparagus on cancer cell growth
TRANSCRIPT
Can Aspargaus inhibit population
growth of yeast cells?Tiffany Sato
Experium Science AcademyMarlborough School, Ninth Grade
Hypothesis and Goals During digestion, asparagus produces sulfur
compounds, which is beneficial in the reduction of the growth of cancer cells (Mitchell, 2001). Therefore, I decided to investigate this further which led me to the information that asparagus produced high levels of sulfur. From this, I decided to start studying the effect of asparagus on yeast activity.
I wanted to see a decrease in yeast activity compared to a negative and positive control. A decrease in growth meant that the asparagus, the high amounts of sulfur, was inhibiting the growth of the yeast cells.
Yeast Cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) Typical eukaryotic
structure
Fast and incontrollable cell division
Economically accessible
Genetic material is known
Cancer Cells Typical eukaryotic
structure
Fast and incontrollable cell division
Why I used Yeast Cells and the Similarities
Yeast Cells as a Model Organism
I realized that scientific studies have shown that Saccharomyces cerevisiae could be used as an alternative to cancer cells when doing research. (Hartwell, 2001) (Mortimer, 1973)
Absorbance of Yeast Activity Sample
0 2 4 6 8 10 120
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
POSITIVENEGATIVEEXPL
Sample Numbers
Ab
sorb
an
ce (
600n
m)
Data
Average for Negative (without any nutrients) : 0.189 abs
Average for Experimental (with asparagus): 0.488 abs
Average for Positive (with nutrients, without asparagus):0.633 abs
Conclusions for Yeast Growth Activity
My results from my experiment with the liquid medium with asparagus had the lowest absorbance (0.488 abs) compared to my positive control (0.633 abs ) and higher absorbance compared to my negative control (0.189 abs). This indicates a decrease in yeast activity upon addition of asparagus indicating minimal cell growth.
Conclusions from Viable Colonies
Although viable colonies have limited quantification, the pictures show the apparent difference of structural colonies between the Positive, Experimental, and Negative.