13. Planarian Regeneration

Planarian flatworms offer an ideal system for regeneration experiments. Cutting the animal in half simulates what the animal does to itself during asexual reproduction. In this, its preferred mode of reproduction, the animal pulls itself in two, a process called fission.

In this chapter, students learn about various theories of regeneration. They are encouraged to add their own theories, and then to design experiments to test the theories.

A number of patterns of regeneration in the planarian are illustrated and discussed.

Subjects covered include:

Collecting and maintaining planarians
Observations of normal anatomy and behavior
Regeneration: Patterns and theories
Diffusion gradient model
Polar coordinate model
Experimental procedures
Record keeping and analysis