Cytological Effects of Formalin in Onions
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ACTIVITY 1:
OBSERVATION OF CYTOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF FORMALIN
USING Allium cepa TEST
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A WRITTEN OUTPUT
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In partial fulfilment of the Requirements in Developmental Biology
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SUBMITTED BY:
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NORYN B. CAYABAS
JACKELYN T. SUDAYPAN
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MAY 16, 2012
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I.
INTRODUCTION
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Formalin is a chemical substance primarily used as preservative for specimen in laboratory areas. However, nowadays, it is reported that formalin is widely used in the preservation of perishable goods such as fruits and smoked fish. Several studies were conducted and proved the effects of formalin or in formaldehyde form in cells such as cytological and chromosomal aberrations. Despite its known effects, lots are still using formalin or formaldehyde in their goods preservation.
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Scandals have broken in both the 2005 Indonesia food scare and 2007 Vietnam food scare regarding the addition of formaldehyde to foods to extend shelf life. After a four-year absence, in 2011 Indonesian authorities have again found some foods with formaldehyde being sold in markets in a number of regions across the country. Foods known to be contaminated include noodles, salted fish, tofu, and rumours of chicken and beer. In some places, such as
China, formaldehyde is still used illegally as a preservative in foods, which exposes people to formaldehyde ingestion. In humans, the ingestion of formaldehyde has been shown to cause vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, and in extreme cases can cause death; in addition, there is limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect (www.formaldehyde/effects.com).
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Higher plants are recognized as excellent genetic models to detect environmental mutagens and are frequently used in monitoring studies. Among other plant species, Alium cepa has been used to evaluate cytogenetic effects and other cytological aberrations and disturbances in the cells. Alium
!
!
ACTIVITY 1:
OBSERVATION OF CYTOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF FORMALIN
USING Allium cepa TEST
!
!
!
!
!
A WRITTEN OUTPUT
!
!
!
!
!
In partial fulfilment of the Requirements in Developmental Biology
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
SUBMITTED BY:
!
NORYN B. CAYABAS
JACKELYN T. SUDAYPAN
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
MAY 16, 2012
!
!
!
!
!
!
I.
INTRODUCTION
!
!
Formalin is a chemical substance primarily used as preservative for specimen in laboratory areas. However, nowadays, it is reported that formalin is widely used in the preservation of perishable goods such as fruits and smoked fish. Several studies were conducted and proved the effects of formalin or in formaldehyde form in cells such as cytological and chromosomal aberrations. Despite its known effects, lots are still using formalin or formaldehyde in their goods preservation.
!
Scandals have broken in both the 2005 Indonesia food scare and 2007 Vietnam food scare regarding the addition of formaldehyde to foods to extend shelf life. After a four-year absence, in 2011 Indonesian authorities have again found some foods with formaldehyde being sold in markets in a number of regions across the country. Foods known to be contaminated include noodles, salted fish, tofu, and rumours of chicken and beer. In some places, such as
China, formaldehyde is still used illegally as a preservative in foods, which exposes people to formaldehyde ingestion. In humans, the ingestion of formaldehyde has been shown to cause vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, and in extreme cases can cause death; in addition, there is limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect (www.formaldehyde/effects.com).
!
Higher plants are recognized as excellent genetic models to detect environmental mutagens and are frequently used in monitoring studies. Among other plant species, Alium cepa has been used to evaluate cytogenetic effects and other cytological aberrations and disturbances in the cells. Alium