In response to changes in temperature, organisms that are adapted to survive cold temperatures implement thermoregulatory systems that adjust their growth, locomotion, reproduction, and other physiological functions. We predict species that have been isolated in an extreme environment will have thermoregulatory and compensatory mechanisms increasing their tolerance to survive adverse conditions. For example, in ice worms, an increase in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels has been associated with cold tolerance. The recycling of Adenosine monophosphate or adenosine monophosphate (AMP) regulates adenosine diphosphate (ADP) levels. Thus, the degradation of AMP by AMP phosphatase (AMPP) and AMP deaminase (AMPD) controls the levels of ATP. We use Drosophila species endemic to different environments to study how changes in temperature affect them. Drosophila species thrive in different environments on the globe, thus providing a system to answer evolutionary questions about temperature adaptation. To test these mechanisms, we used D. melanogaster a temperate, widely distributed species, a D. funebris strain native to Alaska, and D. mojavensis a cactolaphilic species. We measured ATP levels, survivability and mobility of these flies at a diverse range of temperature points. Species-specific differences in tolerance to these abnormal temperatures were observed.
Subject (authority = RUETD)
Topic
Biology
RelatedItem (type = host)
TitleInfo
Title
Rutgers University Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Identifier (type = RULIB)
ETD
Identifier
ETD_5684
PhysicalDescription
Form (authority = gmd)
electronic resource
InternetMediaType
application/pdf
InternetMediaType
text/xml
Extent
v, 26 p. : ill.
Note (type = degree)
M.S.
Note (type = bibliography)
Includes bibliographical references
Note (type = statement of responsibility)
by Daniel Anthony Ricketti
Subject (authority = ETD-LCSH)
Topic
Drosophila--Effect of temperature on
RelatedItem (type = host)
TitleInfo
Title
Camden Graduate School Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Identifier (type = local)
rucore10005600001
Location
PhysicalLocation (authority = marcorg); (displayLabel = Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey)
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