Effect of Radiation to Corn (Zea mays L.)
ABSTRACT
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). 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
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). 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
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