Effect of calcium on RNA content in meristematic cells of pea (Pisum sativum L.) roots treated with toxic metals.

RNA content in nucleolus, nucleus and cytoplasm in meristematic cells of pea roots growing for 144 h in the presence of calcium and/or toxic metals (Cd2+, Cr3+, Pb2+) was examined using cytophotometric procedures, after staining with gallocyanine. The effect of treatment with tested metals was twofold: on the one hand, it considerably reduced RNA content in the nucleolus, on the other it enhanced RNA level in the nucleus and most visibly in the cytoplasm, resulting in the increase in total amount of RNA in cells of pea roots. The presence of calcium in metal solutions in different ways affected RNA content in meristematic cells of pea.