EFFECTS OF HALOTHANE ON DNA SYNTHESIS AND MITOSIS IN ROOT TIP MERISTEMS OF VICIA FABA

Abstract

Further investigations on cell division and the cell cycle in Vicia faba show that halothane has a depressant effect on cells in all the phases of mitosis and also that it delays or inhibits the passage of cells through “S” and “G2”. An effect on cells in “G1” is not excluded. Comparsion with colchicine emphasizes the widespread effects of halothane in contrast to the stage-specific effect of colchicine. The partial division synchrony induced by a short halothane exposure is discussed.