Biology majors perform cell surgery
By CHERYL BOWMAN
Kansan Staff Writer
Every student who graduates from the University of Kansas with a degree in biology is a surgeon . . . of sorts.
Some have become exceedingly skilled in the technique of operating with a glass rod.
While students in the KU School of Medicine probably have an edge over the biology students in technique and knowledge of surgery, they need no more dexterity than the biology microsurgeons who are required to remove portions of a one-celled protozoan that are no larger than the dot of an "i."
"It takes practice and dexterity," said Brower Burchill, assistant professor of biology and instructor of the course in cell structure and function for all biology majors. "If you are the least bit shaky, you won't be successful."
The organism on which the stu-
The people responsible for the destruction of the Feb. 23 issue of the University Daily Kansan should be prosecuted, Thomas E. Sullivan, Kansas City, junior, said Wednesday.
Prosecution asked in UDK destruction
Sullivan presented a statement to David Awbrey, president of the student body, asking that those responsible for the incident be prosecuted, if possible.
"This destruction of student
property did not accomplish anything except to cause harsh feelings from other students," Sullivan said.
If the people involved in the incident were trying to present a grievance, Sullivan said, they should have done something constructive. "Throwing the papers in Potter Lake was completely irresponsible," he said.
Mar.5 1970
6 KANSAN
dents operate is the same protozoan, Stentor coerulous that Burchill has researched for the last six years.
"The incident was not an act against the University, Chancellor, or the printing service," Sullivan said. "It was an act against the entire student body."
It is a single-celled organism with a rather complex organization, large enough to be easily observed. The students study its powers of regeneration by cutting off the feeding cilia at the mouth of the organism and then observing the regenerative process as the cell creates new cilia.
The technique of microsurgery is to heat a fine glass rod over a flame, and then stretch it out to a fine point. This is the "surgical tool." Stentors are put under low magnification on a dissecting microscope for the operation.
ate. It knows its feeding mechanism is gone and that if it is not replaced, the organism will starve.
The organism somehow knows what portions it has to regener-
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Robinson Gymnasium, 4:30 p.m.
Special Film: "Forbidden Games"
Dyhe Auditorium, 7 & 8.9m
Stentor is a unique cell, the only ciliated protozoan that will withstand the harsh treatment of microsurgey. It can be slashed into pieces and, as long as the pieces remain in contact, it will regenerate itself.
Senior Recital: Mary Westhaus,
senior recital, quintet, swankhorst Recital Hall 8, p.m.
KU Judo Club: Robinson Gymnastics. 7 p.m.
Friday
Popular Film: "In Cold Blood."
Woodruff Auditorium, Kansas Union,
703 N. 46th St.
Burchill said if scientists knew how the cell functioned normally, they could protect it from its environment.
Folk Dance Club: 173 Robinson Gymnasium, 7.30 p.m.
"But until we know what normal is," he said, "we can't decide what abnormal is."
He said the work with the Senator organism could be applied to cancer research.
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HOLLYWOOD (UPI) — "Run Wild, Run Free" has won the Copper Horse as the best film at the recent International Children's Festival in Gijon, Spain.
DUPLICATE BRIDGE
WHO—Students and Faculty WHEN—March 5,6:45 p.m. WHERE—Kansas Room, Union
That's right, it's party time—and what a party. (Parties at the National Guard Armory are traditionally the best!) The first Junior Class Party of the semester promises to be one of the biggest gigs of the year. Music will be provided by the IVORY TOWER, straight from their Chicago concert. The tap on the student's favorite beverage will be running FREELY from 8 until midnight, and its free to Junior due payers and only $3.00 per couple for non-payers. The whole thing takes place Friday, March 6, at the National Guard Armory, the place of the BIG BLAST. You will be sorry if you miss it! Compliments Ace Johnson