The Effect of Radiation on Canine Cells
Pamela Correa, Devany Olson, and Avery Bond
January 7, 2013
Period 3
Introduction:
In our project we are going to see how leukemia dog cells react when being exposed
radiation. To see how they react, for quantitative data, we are going to count how many
chromosomes got damaged. For qualitative data, we are going to see how they changed physically
(i.e. If the color changes, if there are more dots, if it is a different shape, etc.)
This is significant because once we find out how the dog cells react we will be able to
compare the results to human cells. This is because human cells are very similar to dog cells.
Background Information:
What is Leukemia?
Leukemia is a form of cancer of the blood or bone marrow.
Leukemia cells versus Normal cells
The job of a white blood cell is used to fight off infections in the body. When someone has
leukemia there white blood cells are “abnormal”. This means that they do not die like normal
blood cells. It crowds the normal cells, and makes it harder for the cells to do their job.
What are the different types of Leukemia?
 Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: is a type of cancer that occurs when bone marrow makes
a lot of lymphocytes. This disease often happens after middle age and rarely occurs in
children. Possible signs are swollen lymph nodes and tiredness. Treatment options can be
radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia: is a type of cancer that occurs when the bone marrow
makes too many white blood cells. This disease often happens during or after middle age
and rarely occurs in children. Common symptoms include tiredness, night sweats, and
fever.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia: is a type of cancer when too many stem cells develop into a
type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. This can cause infection, anemia, and easy
bleeding.

Acute myeloid leukemia: occurs when cancer cells grow in the blood and bone marrow.
This is found in adults and children. Common symptoms may include fever, shortness of
breath, and weakness or fatigue.
What is radiation?
Radiation essentially damages the genes in the cells. This stops the cancer genes from
growing and dividing. Eventually the cells will die. Cancer cells divide and spread very quickly,
and they easily become uncontrollable. Radiations job is to kill the cells, usually the cells that are
dividing quickly are the ones that die first. It is sometimes harder to kill the cells that are inactive
or “resting”.
Experimental Design:
Materials:
 Normal dog bone marrow cells
 Leukemic dog bone marrow cells
 Electronic pipette
 Regular pipette
 *Radiation*
 Cell plates
 16 tubes
 Microscope
 Hemacytometer
Methods:
1. Divide cells into four tubes: Label each tube according to the amount of radiation they will
be exposed to. (control, 500 rads, 1,000 rads, 1,500 rads)
2. Place each tube in radiator for the amount of time it needs to be exposed to allotted amount.
To expose cells to 500 rads is about 45 seconds. (
3. Label another four tubes according to the amount of radiation they were exposed to.
4. Add 1.2 ml of growth medium to each tube using electronic pipette.
5. Add 10 micro liters of cells into the growth medium inside the tube.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Add 200 micro liters of growth factor/supplemented media into the tube.
Label each row (across) of the cell plates according to the radiation they were exposed to.
Add .5 ml of cells in growth medium onto plate
Add .5 ml of water in last well of each row.
Diagram:
Controll group
500 rads
1000 rads
1500 rads
IV: Amount of radiation
IV levels: 500 rads, 1000 rads, 1500 rads
DV: Damaged chromosomes
Constants (controlled variables): amount of growth medium , amount of cells
Control group: Cells with no exposure
Results:
Collecting ResultsWe have both qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative data will be comparing the
leukemia cells and regular cells before/after on the physical features. For example, the color, the
shape, and the size. For our quantitative data we will be looking at the average of the dead cells.
Design a data tableControl group # of
dead cells
500 rads # of dead
cells
1000 rads # of dead
cells
1500 rads # of dead
cells
Average:
Average:
Average:
Average:
Other data collectionSketches of both cells we see through microscope. Pictures of us preparing, so you can
have a clear visual of what we did. The pictures will also make it easier to know our exact
procedures.
Calculations we will performWe will find the averages if we have multiple trials. We will make a bar graph to see
clearly if the leukemic cells or regular cells were damaged. It will make it clear, and easy to see the
data.
References
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Leukemia Home Page. Retrieved from
http://leukemia.emedtv.com/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia/chronic-lymphocyticleukemia.html
What is Leukemia? THE MEDICAL NEWS | from News-Medical.Net - Latest Medical News and
Research from Around the World. Retrieved from http://www.newsmedical.net/health/What-is-Leukemia.aspx
What job does the white blood cell do. The Q&A wiki. Retrieved January 7, 2013, from
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_job_does_the_white_blood_cell_do
What You Need To Know About? Leukemia - National Cancer Institute. Comprehensive Cancer
Information - National Cancer Institute. Retrieved from
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/leukemia/page2