Effect of different toxic compounds on ATP content and acid phosphatase activit...

• Author(s): Nicolau, Ana ; Mota, M. ; Lima, Nelson
• Date: 2004
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/1822/1426
• Origin: RepositóriUM - Universidade do Minho
• Subject(s): Protozoa; Tetrahymena pyriformis; In vitro toxicity; ATP content; ACP activity
• Document Type: Article
• Language: English

Description

The sensitivity of protozoa, and particularly ciliated protozoa, to environmental changes suggested a study on the physiological responses arising from exposure to toxic compounds. Tetrahymena pyriformis was used as a test organism in a set of miniaturized assays. The physiological response of this ciliate was assessed in terms of adenosine-5'-triphosphate content and acid phosphatase activity after exposure of the cultures of T. pyriformis to four toxicants: copper, zinc, Triton X-100, and cycloheximide. In the range of concentrations used, stimulation and inhibition of these two parameters were observed. The correlation between the two parameters is analyzed.