The effects of dieldrin, dimethoate and permethrin on Tetrahymena pyriformis.
The effects of three insecticides, dieldrin, dimethoate and permethrin, on the growth of a holotrichous ciliate, Tetrahymena pyriformis, were studied for 5 days. The ciliate was very sensitive to dieldrin and dimethoate. Both these insecticides produced approximately 81% and 84% inhibition of growth within two days. Dieldrin caused rounding of cells, while dimethoate induced cell lysis. Dimethoate also triggered a general mucocyst discharge. Of the three insecticides, permethrin was the least toxic and induced no morphological alterations.
Kumar
S
S
Department of Zoology, Sri Venkateswara College, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi-110 021, India.
Lal
R
R
Bhatnagar
P
P