Matthew E. Jurek Week 2

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Part 1

• Initially, the model was launched without nutrients. Obviously the cells died as seen in the following image, No Nutrients. The inflow rate was increased and the cells died faster, Increased Inflow. Initially this was surprising, however it appears the increased inflow forces viable cells out quicker resulting in a greater death rate. This would explain the difference between the death of those cells in the presence of no nutrients, versus those in the presence of an increased flow. Next, the nutrient saturation was adjusted, leaving the inflow rate the same as the previous trial. It was thought the increase in nutrient saturation would decrease cell death, however this was not necessarily the case. The death rate is very similar to the previous trial, but the nutrient level is slightly higher, Increased Nutrient Saturation. With the increased nutrient saturation, the cells life-span is not much different than those seen in the previous image. There is a slight difference in the amount of nutrients as the saturation is higher. Seeing that the cell death was similar amongst the 3 initial trials, impeding this process became the focus. The nutrients coming into the chemostat were increased which had a positive impact on cell life, More Nutrients Coming In.