title: Effects of Cu2+ on root growth, cell division, and nucleolus of Helianthus annuus L.
abstract: The effects of different concentrations (10-5 - 10-2 M) of copper sulfate on root growth, cell division and nucleoli in root-tip cells of Helianthus annuus L. were investigated. Cu had an inhibitory effect on the root growth at 10-4 - 10-2 M during the entire treatment. Cu has toxic effects on chromosomal morphology including anaphase bridges and chromosome stickiness and on nucleoli, causing some similar silver-stained particulate material scattered in the nuclei. Once the nucleolus is poisoned, showing some silver-stained particles scattered in the nucleus, the root growth of H. annuus is obviously inhibited. And once more silver-stained particles appear in the nucleus, the root growth is almost or completely stopped. The possible mechanism of the Cu poisoning of root-tip cells of H. annuus is also briefly discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, PR China.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002466:Cell Nucleolus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003300:Copper / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019327:Copper Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006368:Helianthus / Q000254:growth & development*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D003300:Copper; D019327:Copper Sulfate