Independent Variable: The c affeine added to the water.

1. Pulse Rate of the Lubriculusvariegatus when placed in plain water and a Caffeine Solution.By: Brett Zicari and Robert June Introduction: The Lubriculus Variegatus, more commonly known as the Black worm, is a small transparent worm. The Black worm is frequently found around the edges of ponds. In this experiment we decided to test the effects that a Caffeine has on the Black worm. Caffeine is a stimulant well known for its uses in flavored drinks, has been shown to increase body function in many organisms, the black worm in tis case was no different. • Also fill recovery bowl with distilled water to the same depth. Now select 10 worms that are equal in size, using an eyedropper, place the worms into the bowl for 15 minutes. Transport one worm from the solution to the well slide using an eyedropper. Place the cover slip on top of it. Using microscope turned to 10x, count the pulse rate of the worm at the mid-section for 30 seconds, then record times and place the worm in the recovery bowl. Repeat step with all 10 worms in both groups. Double the number of pulses to get pulse for one minute. Record data and compare with the original data. Hypothesis: If the worm is placed under the influence of a Caffeine Solution, then the pulse rate will increase. Pulse Rate of the Lubriculusvariegatus Independent Variable: The caffeine added to the water. Dependent Variable: The pulse rate of the worms. Constants: Water temperature, microscope, stopwatch, well slide, eyedropper, person timing and the person counting. Control Group: Worms placed in the distilled water. Conclusion: From the testing done, it was found that a caffeine solution increased the pulse rate of the Lubriculusvariagetus by an average of 6.8. The caffeine could have increased the pulse rate because it is a known stimulant. The numbers found were in tune with the suggested hypothesis. There may have been error with the counting, the exact amount of time used, or the recording. More testing could improve our understanding of caffeine effects on the Lubriculusvariegatus. The testing could include more trials to reduce error. Materials: Well slide (with an introverted middle for the placement of the worm) with coverslip, distilledwater, depressant water, microscope, eyedropper (for the transportation of the worm), stop watch, caffeine solution. References: http://www.eeob.iastate.edu/faculty/DrewesC/htdocs/Lvgen4.htm. Assisted in on wormsresearch. http://chemistry.about.com/od/moleculescompounds/a/caffeine.htmassisted in Caffeine research. Procedure: Fill two specimen bowls, one with distilled water the other with caffeine solution, label each bowl. Fill to a depth of approximately 2cm. Results: From the testing that was done, we found that the heart rate increased when being placed in a caffeine solution, the pulse rate increased by 8.8 .