Nematodes present in soil are 1mm in size, transparent, cylindrical and tapering towards the end.C elegans is a nematode found in soil and rotting vegetables which has been the model organism for 3 Nobel prizes.
The movement of nematodes can be compared to that of a snake, it is slithering ,wavy and at times reversing by forming an omega turn.
All the neurons have been mapped for this animal and the genetic sequence shows homology with Gene’s causing human diseases.Each cell can be seen under a microscope as it is transparent.All the above make it a powerful research model in biological sciences.
METHOD:
Raw potato slices are taken.A thick layer of soil is placed on the slice at the edges in a circle.The control potato slice has no soil placed on it.
The soil is kept moist throughout with water.we can keep a moist tissue paper below the potato slice.The set up is observed every 6hrs.
OBSERVATIONS
After 33hrs nematodes were seen collected at the base of the soil in the water trapped between adjacent layers.The nematodes were observed using a hand lens of 10X and a mobile camera.The size was measured by placing a scale on the surface it was observed to be 1mm.
Under 10X of a compound microscope the cylindrical body,mouth and pointed tail are seen.The vulval opening at the posterior end is clearly seen identifying it as the hermaphrodite/female.Males have a different shape of the tail.Under the 45X the ovules can be seen above the vulva, long stoma (mouth) can be observed , followed by a widened pharynx and oval bulb.
Identification:The morphological features matched those of Oscheius tipulae from the references.
http://www.wormbook.org/
Collaborators : Anshu, Dr Arunan, Bivas Nag, Hina Mudgal, Kunal kadam,Dr Subodh Sen and others
!! Lets Celebrate Goof Up’s and learn from them too ! 