Biomaterial Database

Induction of sister-chromatid exchanges in Vicia faba by arsenic-contaminated drinking water. 1988

S Gómez-Arroyo, and A Hernández-García, and R Villalobos-Pietrini

Laboratorio de Citogenética y Mutagénesis Ambientales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, D.F., México.

Arsenic-contaminated drinking water from various towns of Comarca Lagunera, Coahuila, Mexico, was tested for its ability to induce sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) in Vicia faba. 3-h treatments were applied and the differential staining technique of Tempelaar et al. (1982) was used. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry showed that the arsenic concentration in drinking water was 0.11-0.695 ppm, well over the maximum limit of 0.05 ppm (EPA, 1984). In all cases the SCE frequencies were significantly different from the controls. Some concentrations (0.2, 0.3, 0.5 and 1.0 ppm) of sodium arsenate (V) and potassium arsenite (III) were also applied to Vicia faba and all produced significant SCE frequencies, except 0.2 ppm of sodium arsenate.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008800	Mexico	A country in NORTH AMERICA, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, between BELIZE and the UNITED STATES, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and the UNITED STATES.
D010944	Plants	Multicellular, eukaryotic life forms of kingdom Plantae. Plants acquired chloroplasts by direct endosymbiosis of CYANOBACTERIA. They are characterized by a mainly photosynthetic mode of nutrition; essentially unlimited growth at localized regions of cell divisions (MERISTEMS); cellulose within cells providing rigidity; the absence of organs of locomotion; absence of nervous and sensory systems; and an alternation of haploid and diploid generations. It is a non-taxonomical term most often referring to LAND PLANTS. In broad sense it includes RHODOPHYTA and GLAUCOPHYTA along with VIRIDIPLANTAE.	Plant
D011188	Potassium	An element in the alkali group of metals with an atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte that plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.
D001151	Arsenic	A shiny gray element with atomic symbol As, atomic number 33, and atomic weight 75. It occurs throughout the universe, mostly in the form of metallic arsenides. Most forms are toxic. According to the Fourth Annual Report on Carcinogens (NTP 85-002, 1985), arsenic and certain arsenic compounds have been listed as known carcinogens. (From Merck Index, 11th ed)	Arsenic-75,Arsenic 75
D012854	Sister Chromatid Exchange	An exchange of segments between the sister chromatids of a chromosome, either between the sister chromatids of a meiotic tetrad or between the sister chromatids of a duplicated somatic chromosome. Its frequency is increased by ultraviolet and ionizing radiation and other mutagenic agents and is particularly high in BLOOM SYNDROME.	Chromatid Exchange, Sister,Chromatid Exchanges, Sister,Exchange, Sister Chromatid,Exchanges, Sister Chromatid,Sister Chromatid Exchanges
D012964	Sodium	A member of the alkali group of metals. It has the atomic symbol Na, atomic number 11, and atomic weight 23.	Sodium Ion Level,Sodium-23,Ion Level, Sodium,Level, Sodium Ion,Sodium 23
D014881	Water Supply	Means or process of supplying water (as for a community) usually including reservoirs, tunnels, and pipelines and often the watershed from which the water is ultimately drawn. (Webster, 3d ed)	Supplies, Water,Supply, Water,Water Supplies