Terri Nilson
B.S. Biological Sciences (2001-present)

Undergraduate Student

The effects of carbon dioxide on cold tolerance, rapid cold-
hardening, and chill-coma recovery in Drosophila melanogaster

For my honors undergraduate thesis, I am studying the effects of carbon dioxide, an insect anesthetic used in many laboratories during manipulation for experiments. Although used frequently, recent studies have shown that CO2 has many side effects for insects, including alterations in behavior and fitness. However, the consequences of CO2 use on overall cold tolerance and related processes have yet to be explored. Therefore, by using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system, I am currently investigating these effects by examining basal cold tolerance, rapid cold-hardening, and chill-coma recovery. I hope to complete and defend this project in late March 2006.