Scanning Electron Microscopy on Chromosome Aberrations in Root-tip Cells of Vicia faba Treated with Gallic Acid

Abstract

Chromosome aberrations induced by the treatment of gallic acid, in the root-tip cells of Vicia faba, have been investigated under the scanning electron microscopy. Specific effects were chromosome break and reunion. The type of effects was different from its derivatives such as ethyl gallate and n-propyl gallate, which induced binucleate cells. These different effects of chemicals seem to be related to the difference of constitutional formulas among these compounds.
In the drawn out chromosome bridge induced by gallic acid, the ultrastructure of chromosome and its internal coiled structure can seen as spiral structure. The elementary fibrillar structure of chromosome is 300-500Å in width.