The roots of onion (Allium cepa) stand out for having cells with large size and small number of chromosomes. These characteristics make them useful in bioassays for the measurement of a variety of cytogenetic and morphological parameters, in which they can be used as toxicity indicators of the induction and formation of micronuclei and chromosomal aberrations. Based on this background, the potential genotoxic effect of phenol concentration on cells of A. cepa roots was investigated either in terms of induced aberrations or micronuclei formation. The results of this work demonstrated that the higher the concentration of phenol added to the root cells, the higher the incidence of abnormalities, thus confirming the genotoxicity of this pollutant.
Genotoxic effect of phenol on the cells of onion (Allium cepa) roots
MARIOTTINI, GIAN LUIGI;CONVERTI, ATTILIO
2013-01-01
Abstract
The roots of onion (Allium cepa) stand out for having cells with large size and small number of chromosomes. These characteristics make them useful in bioassays for the measurement of a variety of cytogenetic and morphological parameters, in which they can be used as toxicity indicators of the induction and formation of micronuclei and chromosomal aberrations. Based on this background, the potential genotoxic effect of phenol concentration on cells of A. cepa roots was investigated either in terms of induced aberrations or micronuclei formation. The results of this work demonstrated that the higher the concentration of phenol added to the root cells, the higher the incidence of abnormalities, thus confirming the genotoxicity of this pollutant.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.