Illinois Junior Academy of Science - Yearbook (Urbana, IL)

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Sirepfomycin Vrs. the Formation of Chloroplasts KARYL MCCURDY Thornridge High School lllbll Illllililll -mn in on numnflou 1 ur. JIZTHA 5 NY: D' 'W Pun I Streptomycin was discovered in 1943 by two scientists working to find something effective against tuberculosis. On a more botanical level, I was curious to discover this chem- ical's effect on plant growth. Streptomycin had a bleaching or toxic effect on plant growth. Plants with various mineral deficiencies were also treated with streptomycin, to see how the absence of certain vital nutrients affected streptomycin's effect. My hypothesis concerning streptomycin's harmful effect revolved around one chemical reaction in particular, chela- tion. This is a chemical process in which an organic com- pound would react with a metal ion to form a relatively inert water compound. Magnesium is the central atom in the chlorophyll molecule, so perhaps streptomycin's bleach- ing effect may be explained by streptomycin chelating with the magnesium. This process would remove the magnesium necessary in the formation of the green pigment chlorophyll, thus hindering its formation. To combat this I proposed that the addition of extra magnesium would erase the bleaching effect. The streptomycin could chelate with the extra mag- nesium, thus leaving the magnesium in the nutrient solution for normal chlorophyll synthesis. My results confirmed this, the plants treated with streptomycin and magnesium grew almost as well as the controls. To insure valid results. I dealt with one-hundred and ninety plants representing seven species: beans, corn, peas, radishes, tomatoes, euglena, and chlamydomonas.

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Abstract SCOTT CAMPBELL I. Purpose: ll To test several feed rations with various protein levels on groups of hens, to discover through total production of eggs, which level is most appropriate. 23 To see if the hens after being subjected to an unbalanced diet, can return to their previous laying level after being returned to a control feed. 31 To determine the actual protein con- tent in the nine feeds by using the Kjeldahl Analysis Method. II. Procedure: ll Set up groups to act as experimental and also as control groups. 21 Mix four balanced and four unbalanced diets, and also one control feed. 39 Determine the actual protein percentage by using the Kjeldahl Analy- sis Method. III. Conclusion: 17 A good range for total protein con- tent in a laying hen's diet is between 1476 and 17'k. 23 If chickens are not left on an unbalanced diet for too extensive a time, they will generally make a recovery to their previous laying level. 31 A noted generality is that the higher the unbalanced diet is in protein, the faster and sharper the de- cline in the rate of egg production. Synthesis of a Mescaline Analog JAMES F. CARAVELLI North Chicago Community High School North Chicago This project's goal was to synthesize a new mescaline analog. Mescaline is a phenylethylamine, or a hallucinogenic drug. Although Indians from the Southwest used the crude cactus derivative of mescaline to induce mystical experi- ences, today's psychiatrists use mescaline for psychotomime- tics. Mescaline may be one of the keys to the treatment of mental diseases. In the first reaction, a condensation reaction was run between 3, 4, 5-trimethoxybenzaldehyde, acetic acid, nitro- methane, an ammonium acetate. This yielded the known compound, trans-3, 4, 5-trimethoxy-B-nitrostyrene. A Diels-Alder reaction used the trans-3, 4, 5-trimethoxy- B-nitrostyrene, 2, 3-dimethylbutadine, toluene, and hydro- quinone. The resulting new compound was 1, 2--dimethyl-4- nitro-5-K3', 4', 5'-trimethoxyphenyll-cyclohexene. Both n.m.r. and infrared spectra confirmed the results. A Friedel-Crafts reaction was attempted with the Diels- Alder product and methanesulfonic acid. However, after changing all the variable conditions, the experiment proved unsuccessful. Although practical grade methanesulfonic gcifigmd poly-phosphoric acid were substituted, the reaction ai e . A hydroenation reaction of the Diels-Alder product used acetic acid, hydrogen gas, and either nickel or pal- ladiumfcarbon catalysts. When the palladiumfcarbon cata- lyst was used, the result was a new mescaline analog, 2-t3', 4', 5'-trimethoxyphenyll-4, 5-dimethylcyclohexlamine. How- ever, there was evidence of a stereoisomer. When the nickel catalyst was used, the new mescaline analog formed was 2-t3', 4', 5'-trimethoxyphenyll-4, 5-dimethyl-A'-cyc1ohexenyla- mine. Both compounds were confirmed by n.m.r. and infra- red spectra. Tests on mice revealed that the mescaline analog was a mescaline antagonist. After more extensive testing, it is possible that the new compound might be used to counteract mescaline intoxication or, possibly, natural psychoses. The Liesegang Phenomena X DAVl'D DENLEY l9l Wheeling High School Wheeling Sponsor: Mr. J. Doyle THE LIESEGAIIB Liesegang rings, or periodic precipitation, are formed when precipitating ions are allowed to diffuse towards each from separate mediums to precipitate. Under proper condi- tions, the precipitate will not form continuously through one medium, but will form a series of separate, distinct layers. Many theories have been proposed, and several hundred articles have been written to explain or clarify this phe- nomena, but none have been proven. A silica gel was used as a medium for the precipitation of the Liesegang rings. Also, in an attempt to more fully understand the mechanism of diffusion, a series of experi- ments were done to find a general equation for the distance travelled by the diffusion front. From my experiments, evidence was found contradictory to the most popular theory, Ostwald's supersaturation theory. This and other facts lead me to believe that the Liesegang phenomena can be more satisfactorily explained in terms of diffusion-concentration. The theory still needs more con- clusive testing, though. I also found that the distance travelled by the diffusion front varies directly as the square root of time. Super Snooper Gas Chromatography MATT ECKHARDT TED ECKHARDT The purpose of our project is to determine if propane may be used as a carrier, or mobile phase, for gas chromato- graphy. Gas chromatography is a method of separating and analyzing mixtures of chemical substances. A flow of solvent, or gas, causes the components of a sample to migrate differ- ,..,, - I o- 4 i l