In order to analyze the results, a repeated measures ANOVA test was used. As the data initially violated the Mauchly's Test of Sphericity, the Greenhouse-Geisser test was used to calculate the p-values. In the first experiment, squalane has no significantly different effect on bacterial growth at different temperatures (p=.071), as seen in Figure 1. Within temperature groups, squalane supplementation had a consistent effect of increasing growth (p<.000). This trend is evident in in Figures 2-4.
In the second experiment, there was a significantly less bacterial growth over time in the minimal media than the nutrient broth independent of squalane supplementation (p<.000), which would be expected due to the former’s nutrient-poor composition. …show more content…
Average growth of Rhodobacter sphaeroides in nutrient broth for all temperature groups, with and without squalane supplementation, as determined by absorbance over time. Samples are divided into three temperature groups: low temperature (12° C), medium temperature (28° C), and high temperature (40° C). For each temperature, n=5 with squalane, n=5 no squalane. LS=Low temp, squalane; LNS=Low temp, no squalane; MS=Medium temp, squalane; MNS=Medium temp, no squalane; HS=High temp, squalane; HNS=High temp, no squalane. Difference in growth between temperature groups with variable squalane as found by a Repeated Measures ANOVA, p=.071. Error bars indicate …show more content…
Average growth of Rhodobacter sphaeroides in nutrient broth and minimal media, with and without squalane supplementation, as determined by absorbance over time. SN=Squalane, nutrient broth; NSN=No squalane, nutrient broth; SM=Squalane, minimal media; NSM=No squalane, minimal media. For each media, n=5 with squalane, n=5 no squalane. Stars and squares signify significant difference between the growth of the bacteria grown in nutrient broth, and minimal media, respectively (p<.000). Media-dependent difference in growth between samples supplemented with squalane and those that were not, as found by a Repeated Measures ANOVA, p=.052. Error bars for minimal media are small enough to be obscured by data points. Error bars indicate SEM.

Figure 6. Average growth of Rhodobacter sphaeroides in minimal media, with and without squalane supplementation, as determined by absorbance over time. SM=Squalane, minimal media; NSM=No squalane, minimal media. n=5 with squalane, n=5 no squalane. Star and square indicate statistically significant difference in growth between groups as found by a Repeated Measures ANOVA, p<.000. Error bars indicate SEM. Figure 7. Average growth of Rhodobacter sphaeroides in nutrient broth, with and without squalane supplementation, as determined by absorbance over time. SN=Squalane, nutrient broth; NSN=No squalane, nutrient broth. n=5 with squalane, n=5 no squalane. Star and square indicate statistically significant difference in growth between groups