Summer research at Hamilton isn't always about being in the lab. Kristen Selden '09 found that out last summer when she spent many days out in the field trying to trap turtles. This year she is back out looking for more turtles in addition to frogs and tadpoles. Last summer she focused on disproving Andrew (1959) and Ballmer (1949) who stated that the turtle gastrointestinal tract is one big long tube that has no morphological differentiation between the esophagus, stomach, and various sections within the intestine.
The research proved a success as she dissected a painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) and found through both quantitative and qualitative observations and measurements that indeed the Gastrointestinal (GI) tract was structurally different. Less folds were found in the esophagus and then the fold number increased all the way to the lower intestine because more surface area is required lower in the gastrointestinal tract. This summer she hopes to expand her research by looking at the GI tract of snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina).
This type of research is important because turtles are the oldest terrestrial vertebrates. Turtles created the foundation for all the other vertebrates. Turtles are rarely studied because of their hard exterior, which makes the dissection process almost impossible. Further research must be done on turtles because they are sensitive to environmental conditions and are one of the first animals to indicate an environmental problem.
This summer, Kristen and the two other students in her lab, Lindsey Wong '09 and Emma Domby '11, chased and caught a snapping turtle at Utica Marsh. After the snapping turtle is dissected, Kristen uses the scanning electron microscope with Ken Bart's assistance to image the tissue samples—this powerful microscope has the potential to image samples at 350,000x magnification. These images have the finest detail and allow Kristen to see every fold. Kristen will continue this type of research with Professor Gapp for her thesis research in her senior year extending it to the frog GI tract.
Her favorite part of the job is getting to work with Emma and Lindsey, arguing with Sven Oman '10 about the ethics of animal use in science and the fact that she got to disprove a 50-year old theory. In her spare time during the summer, Kristen enjoys playing volleyball, base-jumping and playing pick up soccer.
-- by Emma Domby '11
The research proved a success as she dissected a painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) and found through both quantitative and qualitative observations and measurements that indeed the Gastrointestinal (GI) tract was structurally different. Less folds were found in the esophagus and then the fold number increased all the way to the lower intestine because more surface area is required lower in the gastrointestinal tract. This summer she hopes to expand her research by looking at the GI tract of snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina).
This type of research is important because turtles are the oldest terrestrial vertebrates. Turtles created the foundation for all the other vertebrates. Turtles are rarely studied because of their hard exterior, which makes the dissection process almost impossible. Further research must be done on turtles because they are sensitive to environmental conditions and are one of the first animals to indicate an environmental problem.
This summer, Kristen and the two other students in her lab, Lindsey Wong '09 and Emma Domby '11, chased and caught a snapping turtle at Utica Marsh. After the snapping turtle is dissected, Kristen uses the scanning electron microscope with Ken Bart's assistance to image the tissue samples—this powerful microscope has the potential to image samples at 350,000x magnification. These images have the finest detail and allow Kristen to see every fold. Kristen will continue this type of research with Professor Gapp for her thesis research in her senior year extending it to the frog GI tract.
Her favorite part of the job is getting to work with Emma and Lindsey, arguing with Sven Oman '10 about the ethics of animal use in science and the fact that she got to disprove a 50-year old theory. In her spare time during the summer, Kristen enjoys playing volleyball, base-jumping and playing pick up soccer.
-- by Emma Domby '11
