Effects of Radiation to the Growth and Development of Zea Mays
Effect of Ionizing Radiation on the Germination, Growth and Development of Corn (Zea mays L.)
Alexis A. Parco
BIO30 Group 1 Sec. A-6L
September 27, 2012
ABSTRACT
Corn seeds pre-exposed to 10, 30, and 50 kiloRads (kR) of radiation were grown in plots for almost 7 weeks. Four different setups – 10kR, 30kR, 50kR and the control, each with 10 corn seeds initially planted – were observed three times a week (during Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), and the height of each growing corn was measured (in cm) together with the germination rate (%Germination). The results obtained showed that the growth of the corn in terms of height and the percent of germination in corns were generally inversely related to the amount of radiation they were exposed to. Though the final average height computed showed 28.4 for the 10kR setup and only 24.65 in the controlled, it can be referred to the table that the average height and the germination rate of the latter were the greatest among the others’, in general. Referring to the data from the 17th of August and 3rd of September, for instance, it can be seen that the average height for the 10kR treated corn were 10.16 and 29.3, respectively, those of the 30kR were 4.064 and 0, while those for the control setup 13.208 and 40.4. On the other hand, the 50kR corns exhibited noticeable late sprouting and early death with an average height of 0 during the last day of observation. It has obtained the least height and germination rate in the overall. Hence, increasing the exposure of corn to radiation interferes with its growth and at the same time decreases the germination rate of such a plant by means of inducing the process of mutation.
INTRODUCTION Mutations are changes in the genetic information of the cell (or even a virus) which hold responsible for the very large diversity of genes found among organisms. It is the ultimate source of new genes. The existence of mutations can be accounted for several ways. Though rarely
Alexis A. Parco
BIO30 Group 1 Sec. A-6L
September 27, 2012
ABSTRACT
Corn seeds pre-exposed to 10, 30, and 50 kiloRads (kR) of radiation were grown in plots for almost 7 weeks. Four different setups – 10kR, 30kR, 50kR and the control, each with 10 corn seeds initially planted – were observed three times a week (during Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), and the height of each growing corn was measured (in cm) together with the germination rate (%Germination). The results obtained showed that the growth of the corn in terms of height and the percent of germination in corns were generally inversely related to the amount of radiation they were exposed to. Though the final average height computed showed 28.4 for the 10kR setup and only 24.65 in the controlled, it can be referred to the table that the average height and the germination rate of the latter were the greatest among the others’, in general. Referring to the data from the 17th of August and 3rd of September, for instance, it can be seen that the average height for the 10kR treated corn were 10.16 and 29.3, respectively, those of the 30kR were 4.064 and 0, while those for the control setup 13.208 and 40.4. On the other hand, the 50kR corns exhibited noticeable late sprouting and early death with an average height of 0 during the last day of observation. It has obtained the least height and germination rate in the overall. Hence, increasing the exposure of corn to radiation interferes with its growth and at the same time decreases the germination rate of such a plant by means of inducing the process of mutation.
INTRODUCTION Mutations are changes in the genetic information of the cell (or even a virus) which hold responsible for the very large diversity of genes found among organisms. It is the ultimate source of new genes. The existence of mutations can be accounted for several ways. Though rarely
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