Cadmium-induced ultrastructural changes in suspension-cultured tobacco cells ( Nicotiana tabacum L. var. Xanthi)

• Published in: Environmental and experimental botany 1986-04, Vol.26 (2), p.169-173
• Main Authors: Neil Reese, R., Dale McCall, R., Roberts, Lorin W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agrochemicals products; Biological and medical sciences; cadmium; cell suspension culture; cell ultrastructure; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Nicotiana tabacum; Other agrochemicals used in plant protection (herbicides, fungicides, etc.); Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; Plant physiology and development; Pollution effects and side effects of agrochemicals on crop plants and forest trees. Other anthropogenic factors; Pollution effects. Side effects of agrochemicals; Tissue cultures, protoplasts; toxicity
• ISSN: 0098-8472; 1873-7307
• DOI: 10.1016/0098-8472(86)90012-2

Suspension-cultured tobacco cells were exposed to 44.5, 89, and 178 μM Cd during a 5-day culture period and examined by transmission electron microscopy on days 1, 3, and 5. No structural changes in the mitochondria, cell membranes or in the cytoplasmic density were observed. Nuclei and chromatin appeared unchanged at Cd levels ⩽ 89 μM, but a small percentage of the nuclei became irregularly invaginated in cells exposed to 178 μM Cd. The most apparent changes induced by Cd in the tobacco cells were significant increases in cell volume and the formation of numerous small vesicles in the cytoplasm. The significance of these findings, in relationship to the physiological effects of Cd in the tobacco cells is discussed.