Effects of aluminum chloride on the nucleus and nucleolus in root tip cells of Hordeum vulgare.

摘要

The cytotoxic effects of aluminum chloride at different concentrations (1 x 10(-4)-5 x 10(-2) M) on the nucleus and the nucleolus in root tip cells of Hordeum vulgare were investigated using the carbol fuchsin staining method and the silver staining technique separately. Results showed that aluminum chloride could induce nuclear aberrations comprising elongated, irregular, ruptured and fractured nuclei and micronucleus formation. After the treatment with aluminum, it was observed that the nucleolar material was extruded from the nucleus into the cytoplasm. The nucleolar material in the cytoplasm was disintegrated, forming silver-stained particulate material, which occurred in both the inner root meristem cells and the root cap cells. The possible mechanism of the aluminum toxicity on the nucleus and nucleolus is briefly discussed.