Yeast Stress Remediation
The fungus Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Baker’s Yeast) is considered to be the most studied cell in the
world. It is a very useful eukaryotic cell model due to its ease of manipulation in the lab (it is singlecelled, thus appropriate for common microbiological tests and techniques) and its similar cell
physiology/biochemistry to advanced cell types. In this study, yeast were stressed by ultraviolet
radiation exposure. One of the consequences of cell stress typically involves the generation of
dangerous reactive chemicals known as free radicals. It is commonly known that molecules called antioxidants can interact with free radicals, thereby neutralizing their danger. If antioxidants are introduced
to the environment of cells, can these molecules minimize damage done by free radicals? Likewise,
could a diet rich in anti-oxidants help protect human body cells from the destructive effects of free
radicals?
In this study, vitamin C (an anti-oxidant) was mixed with the growth media of yeast to determine
if supplementation could aid cell recovery from uv damage.
0% + 0 seconds uv - 134 137 188 130 149 136 151
0% + 30 seconds uv - 128 117 124 113 144 131 125
0% + 60 seconds uv - 56 29 32 24 32 32 30
0.1% vitC + 0 sec uv -163 155 142 137 230 152 138
0.1% vit C + 30 sec uv - 140 100 130 125 136 123 87
0.1% vit C + 60 sec uv – 54 55 17 29 51 22 39
1%vit C + 0 sec uv - 154 149 170 231 180 174 240
1%vit C + 30 sec uv 95 121 110 102 140 130 141
1%vit C + 60 sec uv - 21 90 31 26 41 45 63
Does Vit C have a protective effect? Justify your answer with stats.