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Project Overview
Project Overview
Abstract
Abstract
This study investigates whether planarian memory is stored in body cells by analyzing the effects of ultraviolet (UV) light exposure on memory retention. Dugesia tigrina, a freshwater flatworm known for its regenerative abilities and simple nervous system, was used as the model organism. A conditioned place preference (CPP) was established by pairing a previously unpreferred surface with a 10% sucrose solution. After establishing CPP, one group of decapitated planarian tails was exposed to UV light (395 nm for 1 hour) while the control group was not. Results showed that the control group retained the memory of the sucrose-surface pairing, while the UV group did not. A two-sample t-test revealed a statistically significant difference in memory retention (p ≈ 0), suggesting that UV-induced cell damage disrupts memory. These findings support the idea that memory resides in the body cells of planaria and provide new insight into the cellular basis of memory, with implications for regenerative biology and neuroscience.
What are Planaria?
What are Planaria?
Planaria are a type of flatworm called Dugesia Tigrina. They have amazing regeneration abilities due to the presence of pluripotent stem cells in their body. This allows them to regenerate any part of themselves. The body, when elongated, is soft, leaf-shaped, and ciliated. The spade-shaped head has two eyes (ocelli) and sometimes tentacles. The tail is pointed. The mouth is on the lower side, often more than halfway toward the tail (Britannica 1999).
Research Gap
Research Gap
One big gap is where planaria memory is stored. In Tal Shomrat’s paper, they tested for long-term memory in planaria. The planaria retained memory but where the memory was retained was unknown (Shomrat 2013). In Kenneth Samuel's paper, the planaria also retained memory of place preference but where the memory was retained was also unknown (Samuel 2021). Usually memory is stored in the brain but in planaria, it can be different. Memory can be stored in the cells or the brain in planaria. In Julia Rhodes’ study, they aimed to study planaria memory as well but they had no statistically significant results (Rhodes 2024). They say that more research needs to be done researching planaria memory and how it is passed on.
Research Goal
Research Goal
My project aims to show the effect of UV exposure on planaria memory retention. My project aims to close the gap of where planaria memory is stored. The data that will be generated from my research is whether planaria can retain their memory even after cell damage. The longer a planaria stays in its conditioned place even after regeneration and UV exposure will suggest that memory persists in the cells of the planaria. This adds to the gap of where planaria memory is stored.
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