Mutation was induced via a physical agent, radiation. 4 levels of radiation—0 kr (control), 10 kr, 30 kr, and 50 kr—were used in seeds to determine the radiation effects on the growth of Zea mays. Using two duplicate set-ups, each, planted with 18 seeds per radiation, the differences in height were observed from January 29 to March 17 in a 1 to 2-day interval (Mondays-Wednesdays-Fridays).
Results show that as radiation increases, the potential of plants to grow decreases—0 kr seeds reached the highest mean height over time followed 10 kr, and 30 kr, while 50 kr seeds sprouted only until 6th observation date (February 14).
The results were associated with mutation caused by radiation-inducted chromosomal abberrations reducing fertility among corn seeds. INTRODUCTION Every living organism in the world differs with how they look, how they behave and their physiology. These differences are result of the variations in the hereditary material of life, DNA. Alterations in the DNA can occur because of the process called mutation. Mutations are changes in the hereditary materials found in the cells of organisms.
It is an essential tool for the study of genetics where genes are discovered and where their identities are established—determining which genes result to specific phenotypes. With the fundamentals established in the study of mutations, specific applications were carried-out such as advancements in curing genetic diseases, and improvements in organisms used for food sources and/or valuable molecules (Ringo, 2004).
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We know that an organism is anything that is living and can function by itself. This paper will help understand chameleons and how they have evolved to adapt to their surroundings. It will also discuss their physical features inside and out. Myths and facts will be revealed, as well as a few comparisons between sexes. Though there are many species of chameleons, everything discussed will be in ...
It is an important phenomenon which is essential in providing a new genetic variability which allows the organisms to adapt to a new environment (Gardner, et. al, 1991).
Mutations are permanent changes in the sequence of DNA caused by external (exogenous) or native (endogenous) factors driven by mutagens—chemical and physical agents that induce mutation like errors in the DNA replication for endogenous factors, and sunlight and radiation for exogenous factors (The University of Vermont, 2013).
In this study, the effect of a specific type of physical agents or mutagens, radiation, on the growth of Zea mays, a crop commonly grown in the Philippines—also used as a replacement for rice as a diet basic (Philippine Medicinal Plants, 2013), will be determined.
Electromagnetic spectrum contains portion of wavelengths that is higher and shorter than the visible light (wavelengths about 0. 1nm).
This can be subdivided into ionizing radiations namely X-rays, gamma rays and cosmic ray and non-ionizing radiation (Ultraviolet light) (Gardner, et. al, 1991).
Radiation is one of the main forms of energy. Via radiation, energy is emitted from a source and travels through materials or space. Today, it is used in different fields such as in medicine, communications, military operations, and scientific research. Living organisms highly depend on radiation (specifically in solar radiation).
Without sunlight, the earth would be cold and organisms would die (The World Book Encyclopedia, 1995).
Radiation plays an important role in the occurrence of photosynthesis in plants which is essential for the flow of energy in the ecosystem. Green plants use sunlight in producing food which heterotrophs like humans consume in order to survive (Begon, 2006).
Most scientists believe that the amount of radiation that organisms receive in earth is not harmful, but larger dosages of such can lead to chemical and physical changes in tissues and cells (The World Book Encyclopedia, 1995).
Lonizing radiation has high energy which can penetrate to living tissues. Gamma rays have very short wavelengths which consist of highly energetic photons with energies between 1MeV – 10 Ge V. It has extremely high frequencies and a very high penetrating power which is a result of having the electrical charges having no interactions with matter. One product of gamma rays during radioactive decay is the radioactive atomic nucleus, Cobalt 60. Plants often respond to external and internal stimuli with changes in growth patterns.
The Essay on The Effect of Different Levels of Radiation in Growth of Plants
ABSTRACT The effect of different levels of radiation was determined using four set-ups-10kR, 30kR, 50 kR, and the control (no radiation). The four set-ups were observed for nine weeks and growth (in cm), germination, and survival rate was measured. Results showed that at the right level of radiation level (10 kR), radiation have a positive effect on the plant growth and has the same germination ...
Some external factors that affect the growth of plants are light, day length and temperatures. Among the principal internal factors that regulate growth are the plant hormones (Mader, 1993).
These hormones have developmental or physiological effects on plant depending on the amount and its concentration. Every naturally occurring hormone has its specific chemical structure. Other chemicals also affect the growth of plants. When these hormones and chemicals are grouped together, they form a plant growth regulator.
This study aims to discuss the concept of mutations via an explanation of the effects of radiation on the growth of Zea mays. The specific objectives were 1. to describe the effects of radiation on the growth of Zea mays; and 2. to account for possible causes/reasons for the observed results. This study was conducted in the Institute of Biological Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Banos, Laguna, on January 29 to March 17, 2013, under the supervision of Ms. Joan Christine Adajar. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, mutation was induced via irradiation.
Two set-ups were prepared where irradiated corn at varying doses—0 kr (control), 10 kr, 30 kr, and 50 kr—were planted. Per set-up, 4 labeled horizontal hills were planted with 18 seeds (5 cm apart) of specific radiation doses, as shown in Figure 1. From January 29 to March 17 in a 1 to 2-day interval (Mondays-Wednesdays-Fridays), the effects of irradiation on the corn seeds were observed. Per observation date, the mean height per set-up and per radiation dose were computed and recorded. Table 1 shows the computed mean for the height in their respective dates of observation.
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The world's natural resources are being consumed at an alarming rate. As these resources diminish, people will be seeking alternative sources by which to generate electricity for heat and light. The only practical short term solution for the energy-crisis is nuclear power. Nuclear power, however is not as safe as burning coal, gas or oil in a factory it is in fact, much more dangerous, There are ...
The mean for the plant’s height for a total of 7 week duration were computed using the formula: Mean = ____? plants’ height for each day____ ? no. of germinated plant on each treatment RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Table 1 shows the computed mean for the height of corn from January 29 to March 17 in a 1 to 2-day interval (Mondays-Wednesdays-Fridays) Results show that plants radiated with 0 kr (control), 10 kr, and 30 kr grew in the entire span of experimentation while those grown in 50 kr stopped to grow on the 6th observation date and onwards.
Figure 2 shows the increasing trend in height of the corn of different radiation exposures—using the means of the heights—where as the control plant (0 kr), depicted a more steep line/ inclined slope followed by 10 kr and 30 kr. This means that the control plant tend to grow with greater heights than those of with increased radiation doses. It is also shown that as the radiation increases, the tendency to grow with greater heights decreases—hence, 0 kr exhibit greater heights than 10 kr, and so as 10 kr exhibit greater heights than 30 kr over time. Radiation affects plant seeds positively or negatively.
Usually, the type and amount of radiation determine whether its effect is beneficial or detrimental to the plant (Miranda, 2013).
When cells are exposed to radiation, DNA may break and may rejoin to form a different pattern from the original sequence. Such differences in patterns formed may result to abnormalities called chromosomal aberrations, or may result to sterility/decrease in fertility. In this instance, the increase in radiation affected the plant seeds in a negative way whereas increase in radiation led to a decrease in the plants potential to grow taller.
According to the Radiation Effects Research Foundation (2007) the frequency as to which chromosomal aberrations increases as the amount of radiation increases. In this •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• 0 kr (control)10 kr30 kr50 kr Figure 1 Plot for Zea mays seeds with different radiation doses—0 kr (control), 10 kr, 30 kr, and 50 kr. Figure 2 The mean height of Zea mays with different radiationdoses—0 kr (control), 10 kr, 30 kr, and 50 kr
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Gun Control: the Pros and Cons Recently public debates on gun control policy gained new emotional and social colors. Current situation regarding to the concern of the government about gun safety can be illustrated with the following. In 48 states people can legally buy and keep guns, and in 43 states there is no registration or license required for that. In 46 states there are no limitations on ...
Experiment, it may be inferred that the seeds with increasing doses of radiation also increases in frequency chromosomal aberrations which led to a decrease for the plants’ potential to grow. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION The effect of different levels of radiation was inferred via an observation on the difference in the heights exhibited in the growth of the seeds of Zea mays for almost 2 months. The set-ups with four horizontal hills labeled as 0 kr (control), 10 kr, 30 kr and 50 kr were prepared and planted with seeds exposed to the corresponding radiation levels per hill.
In a 1 to 2-day interval, the changes in height were observed. Results show that radiation exposure of corn seeds led to negative effects. 50 kr exposed seeds exhibited minimal increase in height, only until the 6th date of observation, while 10 kr and 30 kr exposed seeds, despite their continuous growth in the whole span of the experimentation, depicted lower heights compared to that of the control (0 kr) corn seeds. With the results, it was inferred that increase in radiation led to more frequent occurrence of chromosomal aberrations causing a decrease in the potential for the plant to grow.
