A Scientist discovers a chemical that she thinks might be a potential treatment for a certain type of cancer cell. In order to test her hypothesis, the scientist treats one plate of cancerous cells with the newly discovered chemical, and leaves another plate of cancerous cells untreated. After 7 days, the scientist measures the number of living cells in each plate. The scientist finds that the cells treated with the chemical have a lower survival rate than cells left untreated. The scientist further observes that the substance has an effect on the Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER). How might disabling the rough ER potentially hurt the cancerous cells? Be specific in your answer. What is the dependent variable? What is the independent variable?

Explanation:

Hypothesis ⇒ A chemical ⇒ might be a potential treatment for cancer cells.

Experiment:

7 days later ⇒ the number of cells in each plate

Results:

Cells treated with the chemical have a lower survival rate than cells left untreated.

Chemical affects the Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)

The endoplasmic reticulum is in charge of many cellular functions, such as protein folding, maturation, and transport, especially those destined for secretion. It produces the latest protein modifications after transduction.

When the synthesizing protein gets in the Rough endoplasmic reticulum,  it continues its building in the organelle. Finally, the protein suffers folding and the initial stages of glycosylation.  

Once the protein synthesis in the endoplasmic reticulum is over, these molecules are packaged into vesicles and sent to the Golgi complex for their final association with carbohydrates. Finally, protein leaves the Golgi complex and goes to its final destiny.

Any alteration in the intracellular environment

inevitably affects the organelle and its functions. When the organelle is not properly working, proteins synthesis is affected and, consequently, all the cellular activities. The affected cell homeostasis might be so altered that the cell ends dying.

If the drug affects the ER by altering its environment or directly affecting it, the organelle will fail to perform its functions, and the cell will eventually dye.

The independent and the dependent variables are the two principal factors needed in an experiment.  

 Independent variable: Refers to all the variables in an experiment that provoke a response in another variable. The independent variable changes or is controlled and modified in the experiment to analyze how another variable responds to it. It changes to analyze its effects on the dependent variable. Usually, the independent variable is represented by the X letter.

In the exposed example, the independent variable is the drug that affects the cancer cells. The researcher decides to apply it or not, and the concentrations in which the drug is.  

Dependent variable: Refers to the variable that reacts to the changes produced in the independent variable. Depending on how the independent variable is modified, the dependent variable change.  It is usually identified by the letter Y.

In the exposed example cell survival is the dependent variable. Cancer cells respond to the presence/absence of the chemical, and might differently respond to the varying concentration of the drug.

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