MadSci Network: Zoology |
Dear Lisa,
It's great that you're interested in pursuing a science fair project
and are exploring your own unique ideas. I'll help you learn more about
nematodes and offer some websites that will give you information to use in
designing your project.
Nematodes are a unique kind of worm and are characterized by the
structure of their body. An excellent website on nematodes hosted by the
University of Nebraska Lincoln describes the body structure as a
"tube-
within-a-
tube" because the digestive tract is a long tube from the mouth to
anterior end surrounded by a tubular body. Most nematodes are fairly
small and are measured in millimeters, but one parasitic nematode found in
a whale was measured at 8 meters long!
The soil is full of nematodes, some live symbiotically with plants and
other creatures while others cause disease. Nematodes can indeed be
parasitic to animals, plants, and even insects. Humans and dogs suffer
from
nematode
infections
caused by specific species of these roundworms.
Serious plant disease is also caused by certain species of nematodes (See
http://
ianrwww.unl.edu/ianr/plntpath/nematode/nemaquar/
nemaquar.htm).
I don't know what specific plant nematodes you plan to study so I'll
suggest several ways to go about acquiring nematodes.
Carolina Biological Supply sells
several species,
some of which may associate with plants, and even kits to grow them.
Check the catalogue descriptions to choose the species that best suits your
project.
If you'd like, you can even harvest your own nematodes following this
simple procedure from the USDA (http://www.ars-grin.gov:80/ars/Beltsville/
barc/psi/nem/soil-ext.htm). Keeping in mind that certain
nematodes infect dogs, you'll want to collect soil shaken from plant roots
away from areas where dogs and wild animals are. This should reduce the
chances of collecting nematodes that infect animals.
Which brings me to your question about disposal of the nematodes.
Regardless of how you collect your nematodes, you'll want to take a few
simple precautions. Remember that dirt is not very sanitary, so always
wash your hands and don't work in areas where food preparation also takes
place (like the kitchen!). Also, clean up after yourself by wiping
surfaces with a disinfectant. To dispose of nematodes you've bought or
collected, you can add bleach (about 20%) to the water and let it sit
overnight before sending it down the drain.
Good luck with your project!
-Tinsley
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Zoology.