ISSN:
0197-8462
Keywords:
electric fields
;
60 Hz
;
biologic effects
;
membrane potentials
;
recovery
;
Pisum sativum
;
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Occupational Health and Environmental Toxicology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Physics
Notes:
Roots of Pisum sativum L. were chronically exposed in aqueous inorganic nutrient medium to 60-Hz electric fields between 140 and 490 V/m (growth medium conductivity ∼ 0.08 S/m). The growth rate, meristematic mitotic index, and growth rate recovery of the roots were determined. At 140 V/m there was no perturbation in growth rate or mitotic index. At 430 V/m the growth rate and the mitotic index were reduced. The mitotic index had a maximum depression (∼ 55% of control), which occurred at 4 h. The depression in growth rate was immediate and constant over time. When roots were exposed to an electric field at 430 V/m for 2 days, the growth rate was depressed by about 40%. When the field was terminated, the growth rate steadily increased and was almost normal after 5 days. At 490 V/m root growth rate was almost completely arrested. According to these results, there is a narrow range of induced membrane potentials that span the range from slightly altered to almost completely arrested growth rates.
Additional Material:
6 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bem.2250020405
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