Principles of Biology

Planaria Investigation

Using cell division as the overall theme, develop a question to answer in reference to how cell division is different (or similar to) organisms that cannot asexually reproduce.

Overarching question - How is cell division different in organisms that reproduce asexually? (Or...is it different at all?)


A few others to consider -

A planaria can regenerate half of its body. A starfish can regenerate a lost limb. Is the process similar in the two creatures, or different?

Why can't humans regrow lost limbs?

In your answer, make sure to post your question, as well as a response to that question.


Tags: cell, division, investigation, mitosis, planaria

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Permalink Reply by Sean Grinstead on January 29, 2010 at 11:31am
How do the cells from the planaria that have been split off know how to regenerate the cells that are missing?
Permalink Reply by Shandis Cruz on January 29, 2010 at 11:31am
My question is how/ what causes them to regenerate so quickly?
Permalink Reply by Shandis Cruz on January 29, 2010 at 11:36am
I found that these little creatures are loaded with cells that are kind of like stem cells. What's awesome about these is that the are able to change into the type of cell the planaria need to regenerate any tissue that is lost. What I thought was TOTALLY AWESOME is that this is similar to the capacity of embryonic human stem cells.....So does this mean we might just be able to explore these capabilities one day?!
Permalink Reply by Shelby Hawkins on February 1, 2010 at 11:43pm
I was wondering the same thing! :)
Permalink Reply by Ali Bargu on January 29, 2010 at 11:32am
What kind of "DNA" do they have in their bodies that gives them the information to reproduce certain parts?

How can they transmit information with just choping them up and giving them to others as food/ whcih cells make taht possible? Is there a digestion of the food difference?
Permalink Reply by Ali Bargu on February 3, 2010 at 10:33pm
This animal seems to be more complex then i thought it is. It has a whole system in it and that makes it even more interesting that it can "safe" information that it has learn throughout their lives in their body. This happens with saving it into the RNA. This is called "Memory RNA" after that process.

Next interesting fact is that they not just inherit those information, you can chop them up and feed them to others and they will learn this information. This is also based on their digestion system that can take those information and use it for their memory. I think that is AWESOME! Just think of how intelligent human would be if you could do that!!!

My new hero - the Planaria!
Permalink Reply by Shelby Hawkins on January 29, 2010 at 11:36am
Do different species of Planaria regenerate in different ways and different speeds?
Permalink Reply by Blayr Bolton on January 29, 2010 at 11:36am
Why can't humans regrow lost limbs?
Permalink Reply by Hunter Ewart on January 29, 2010 at 11:36am
What makes the planaria decide between the head and the tail on which one to sacrifice?
Permalink Reply by Hunter Ewart on January 29, 2010 at 6:10pm

I found this site that I thought was really instresting. It really made me think If i was a flatworm would i choose my head or my tail to sacrifice? i couldn't choose so maybe my body or my genes like the flatworms would make that decision for me.

Permalink Reply by Coleman Wade Babcock on January 29, 2010 at 11:37am
How many splits can a planaria endure? i found this cool video
Permalink Reply by Sean Grinstead on January 29, 2010 at 11:37am
When the planarian detaches its tail and both ends grow back because of stem cells which allow them to differentiate.

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