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

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Paleozoic Era. Both of these factors influenced the evolution of life. By studying Paleozoic fossils, one may obtain an under- standing of the past which is useful in predicting the evolu- tion of the future. Clay and Heavy Mineral Separation tor Correlation ot Geologic Formations FLORA YUN-YANG LU isp Edison Junior High School Champaign - The objective of this project is to identify and correlate geologic formations by the difference in clay- and heavy- mineral contents. Clay, heavy minerals, and magnetic min- erals are separatedtby the processes of decantation, heavy- liquid separation, and magnetic separation for two series of core samples from Bloomington glacial till. Some significant difference, especially in heavy- and magnetic-mineral contents are recognized. Based on these differences the two petrographic columns are identified and consequently the formations appeared at two different lo- calities l1!3 mile apartl are correlated. As a conclusion, the difference in clay- and heavy-min- eral contents can be used as a tool for identification and correlation of geologic formations. Paleontology ot an Eocene Outcrop EDWARD VALAUSKAS Thornridge High School Dolton My project dealt with the paleontological aspects of a variety of invertebrate and vertebrate fossil remains ob- tained from an Upper Eocene outcrop near Montgomery, Louisiana. - The process of collecting the fossil specimens was simple, but the identification proved to be difficult. The fossils were identified through the correlation of the specimens to those from the type locality of the Jackson Eocene at Jackson, Mississippi. Also, several old reports by T. A. Conrad and other paleontologists were used in identification. After identification, I divided my research into four phases, which are the following: tal Phase 1 - Mollusca KGastropoda, Scaphopoda, Pelecypodal tbl Phase 2- Microscopic Fossils! Primarily Molluscal Ccl Phase 3 - Anthozoa, Bryozoa, and Foraminifera Cdl Phase 4 - Vertebrata I concentrated my research on Phases 1 and 2 because they dealt with the most common and interesting fossils from the outcrop. Following my completion of my research, I then, hypo- thetically, reconstructed the environment that previously existed of the fossils found at this outcrop. From the fossil evidence, I concluded that a marine environment existed, similar to that that presently exists in the South Pacific area. Mollusks were the most common invertebrates with the univalves most predominant. Also several characteristic Eocene vertebrates did exist, including the shark Carcharo- don, the archaeocete Basilosaurus or Zeuglodon, and the ray Myliobatis.

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CHARLES eosserr my Thornridge High School Dolion, Illinois The main objective of my project was industrial. I tried to find out under which conditions mold growth flourished. When these circumstances were understood, I could begin to hypothesize various solutions as to what to use for pre- servatives. After finishing my experiments, I discovered several in- herent disadvantages in the present way of keeping bread. A dark, tin breadbox is just about the worst place to keep bread. It is dark, holds moisture, and is usually in a warm place, perfect for mold growth. A better way to prevent mold growth is to make a clear plastic bread box and.put it in a bright place. The project is easy to set up and can be done by almost anyone. For the bread, get some from a local bakery, be- cause bread from chain stores has a preservative added to prevent mold growth. Then, all one must do is keep records of the growth patterns. CAROLYN HOU FEK Rich Township High School Sponsor: Ray Janata VVhen an animal is immunized with a particular antigen, new antibodies are formed in the serum. Sheep were im- munized with various antigens and disc electrophoresis was performed on the serum before and after the injection. The purpose was to see if new band appeared, and the change in the total amount of protein. After scanning the gel columns with a microdensitometer, there was a difference in the amount of protein between the various bands which shows that immunization will increase or decrease the total amount of protein in the serum. Specific absorption with an antigen was used to absorb the antibody out that was formed by immunization. Blood serum consists of five major proteins: Albumin, alpha., alphaf, beta and gamma-globulins. After disc electro- phoresis with animal serum, the gamma-globulin fraction ap- pears very fuzzy and diffused, not separating out into speci- fic bands. Several methods were employed to try to resolve the gamma-fraction of sheep serum. Samples were electro- phoresed and stained as road maps to give the patterns. Once serum has been electrophoresed, the gel column is stained and the protein can not be removed. The best method to remove the unfixed proteins to re-run them was to slice off the gamma-globulin fraction by the road maps , place it on a new gel, and re-run it. This method was used to study normal and immunized sheep serum. Effect of Variables on Rhodospirillum rubrum KAY McCURDY 1 My project dealt with the phototactic response of the bacteria Rhodospirillum rubrum to an interruption of its light. Merely interrupting the light source of this photo- synthetic bacteria would provoke a reversal in its swimming direction. Garnering statistical information on its response and relating this response to the bacterial photosynthetic metabolism was the objective of this experiment. The variables in this experiment were light intensity, population density, individual characteristics, fatigue rate, recovery rate, and monochromatic light. My light inter- rupting device was a self-designed one consisting of a plas- tic circle with a plastic circle with a certain portion blacked off and this was rotated at varying speeds. I found that under ordinary conditions the average time needed for a response was approximately 1!40 second. When the light intensity was increased, no response was noted on the part of the bacteria. However a decrease in intensity provoked a response. As density of the colony increased the time necessary for a response lowered. The bacteria were noted to fatigue when the light interruptions were kept up and a recovery period was necessary for the bacteria to respond normally. The bacteria would respond to a shorter light interruption when the length of the light wave was longer, i.e. red, yellow, orange. These are also the lengths favorable for photosynthesis. So here is a correlation between photo- synthesis and Rho. rubrum's phototactic behavior exists. In conclusion, I found that this project helped me better under- stand the phototactic behavior of bacteria and to better understand the photosynthetic process. The Germiciclal Effect of Household Disinfectants On Common Bacteria ANN 'RINTELMANN UI Locust School Merengo Sponsor: Mr. Alvin Eastman In my project-, I tested three products to see what effect they had, if any, on two common organisms. The products