Donghua Liu

Effects of lead on root growth, cell division, and nucleolus of Allium cepa

The effects of different concentrations of lead nitrate on root growth, cell division, chromosome morphology and nucleolus in root tip cells of Allium cepa were studied. The concentrations of lead nitrate (Pb(NO(3))(2)) were 10(-7), 10(-6), 10(-5), 10(-4), 10(-3) and 10(-2) m. It was observed that lead reduces root growth and causes mitotic irregularities, including c-mitosis, anaphase bridges, and chromosome stickiness. Also, interphase cells with micronuclei, irregularly shaped nuclei and nuclei with decomposed nuclear material were noticed. The c-mitotic effect reached its maximum in the meristem at above 10(-4) m Pb, when practically almost all the anomalous dividing cells are of this type. After treatment with Pb, there were many similar silver-stained particulate materials scattered in the nucleus in short, rounded meristem cells and in long, oblong root cap cells.

EVALUATION OF METAL ION TOXICITY ON ROOT TIP CELLS BY THE ALLIUM TEST

ABSTRACT The effects of different concentrations of eleven different metals (aluminum chloride, chromium nitrate and potassium dichromate, lead nitrate, copper sulfate, manganous sulfate, cobaltous nitrate, zinc sulfate, magnesium sulfate, nickel sulfate, cadmium chloride, and mercuric chloride) on cell division and nucleoli in root tip cells of Allium cepa were studied. The results showed that the metal ions could, in varying degrees, cause chromosome, nucleus, and nucleolus irregularities, including c-mitosis, chromosome bridges, chromosome stickiness, irregularly shaped nuclei, micronuclei, irregularly shaped nucleoli, some silver-stained material scattered in the nucleus, the weakening of silver-staining reaction at the periphery of the nucleolus, and the release of nucleolar material from the nucleus into the cytoplasm. The Allium test may be useful for the rapid screening of chemicals involved in environmental problems.

Effects of aluminium ion on root growth, cell division, and nucleoli of garlic (Allium sativum L.)

The effects of different concentrations of aluminium chloride on root growth, cell division, chromosome morphology and nucleoli in root tip cells of garlic (Allium sativum L.) were studied. The concentrations of aluminium chloride (AlCl(3)) used were 10(-5), 10(-4), 10(-3), 10(-2) and 10(-1) m. Aluminium chloride inhibited root growth and caused mitotic irregularities, including c-mitosis, anaphase bridges, and chromosome stickiness. Nucleolar material was extruded from the nucleus into the cytoplasm. Extrusion was observed in inner root meristem and root cap cells. The poisoning by Al(3+) of the root tip cells of Allium sativum may result from the uptake and accumulation of Al and inhibition of Ca uptake, distribution of physiological activities of calmodulin (CaM) and the inhibition of some enzyme reactions.

EFFECTS OF PB2+ ON ROOT GROWTH, CELL DIVISION, AND NUCLEOLUS OF BRASSICA JUNCEA L.

The effects of different concentrations (10−5-10−2M) of lead nitrate on root growth and nucleoli in root tip cells of Brassica juncea L. were investigated. The results showed that lead nitrate has a stimulatory effect on root growth at lower concentrations, and an inhibitory effect at higher concentrations. Pb has toxic effects on chromosomal morphology, including c-mitosis and anaphase bridges, and on nucleoli, causing some particulate silver-stained material scattered in the nuclei and inducing irregularly shaped nucleoli. Once the nucleolus was affected, the root growth almost or completely stopped.

EFFECTS OF NICKEL SULFATE ON ROOT GROWTH AND NUCLEOLI IN ROOT TIP CELLS OF ALLIUM CEPA

ABSTRACT The effects of different concentrations of nickel sulfate on root growth and nucleoli in root tip cells of Allium cepa were studied. The concentrations of nickel sulfate (NiSO4 · 7H2O) used were in the range of 10−7-10−1M. The results showed that nickel sulfate has a stimulatory effect on root growth at lower concentrations, and an inhibitory effect at higher concentrations. Nickel has toxic effects on nucleoli at higher concentrations. Phenomena we observed were irregularly shaped nucleoli, weaker silver staining reaction at the periphery of the nucleolus, and extrusion of nucleolar material from nuclei into the cytoplasm after treatment with higher concentrations of Ni.

EFFECTS OF Mg2+ AND Co2+ ON CELL DIVISION AND NUCLEOLAR CYCLE DURING MITOSIS IN ROOT TIP CELLS OF ALLIUM CEPA

Effects of Mg2+ and Co2+ on cell division and the nucleolar cycle during mitosis in root tip cells of Allium cepa were studied. The concentrations used of magnesium sulphate and cobaltous nitrate were in the range of 10−7–10−1M. The results showed that both Mg and Co can, at higher concentration, have a toxic effect on cell division comprising c-mitosis and lagging chromosomes, anaphase bridges, and chromosome stickiness. Excessive Mg and Co can also induce some silver-stained particles similar to nucleoli, which are scattered around the chromosome or in the cytoplasm during metaphase and anaphase. The possible mechanism behind this phenomenon is briefly discussed.