The Effects of Sound Stimulation on Allium cepa Root Growth

Abstract

The effects of sound stimulation on mitosis, the extent of mitotic activity, and the characteristics of chromosomes and nuclei during mitosis in Allium cepa (onion) root tips were studied. Growing chambers were designed to allow one group of onion roots to grow with regular exposure to sound at a frequency of 5,000 Hz and an intensity of 75.9 dB. Another group of onions were grown without sound stimulation and served as the control group. It was shown that exposure to sound had adverse effects on Allium cepa root growth and mitotic activity. Sound-stimulated onions grew fewer and shorter roots and retained less mass. Analysis of mitotic abnormalities found in sound-stimulated root cells showed that sound exposure interfered with normal chromosome activity during mitosis, suggesting mitotic instability.