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Daphnia and Nicotine

Daphnias are almost-microscopic crustaceans called water fleas. Their bodies are hard transparent exoskeleton, like a shell. They are found in various aquatic environments, ranging from acidic swamps to freshwater ponds, streams, rivers and lakes. When a study is conducted to analyze the affect of nicotine on daphnias, the results are fatal.

  1. Tobacco Solution

    • A tobacco solution can be made of tobacco from 20 cigarettes. Place the tobacco in a covered cup of water for 12 hours. Drain the solution into a container. One part tobacco solution with eight parts water in a container is a high dosage. Most studies begin with a low dosage in a container of one or two daphnia, according to Washington Association for Biomedical Research.

    Results

    • Under low dosage of nicotine solution in the water, daphnias swim irregularly and perform loop-the-loops. As the dosage increases, the daphnia experiences seizures, swims on its back, goes into a coma and dies, according to "Time" magazine.

    Conclusion

    • Whether low or high dosage, any amount of nicotine solution in the water causes the crustacean's heart rate to increase dramatically. The nicotine solution launches a fatal attack on the nervous system of the daphnia.

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