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Entry Date
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Location
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Wednesday, January 29, 2014
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MOpumpkins
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Springfield, Missouri
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Entry 10 of 91 |
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!DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!
Colchicine is a chemical that interrupts cellular division converting diploids to polyploids. It is TOXIC. Diploids (2n) have two sets of chromosomes. One set from the mother and one set from the father. Polyploids are cells or organisms with more than two sets of chromosomes. Examples are tetraploids (4n) or octoploids (8n).
Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) is a very strong solvent that can dissolve both polar and nonpolar compounds. DMSO penetrates skin, gloves and cellular membranes readily and carries dissolved compounds with it. * DMSO can be a very useful tool, but extreme care must be taken when handling it… ESPECIALLY if toxic compounds such as colchicine are dissolved in it.
TWEEN 80 is a surfactant and an emulsifier. This compound will help break down any lipids/waxes that would prevent the DMSO/colchicine solution from passing into the meristematic tissue.
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