Abstract: The effect that metronidazole induces the micronucleus of root tip cells in Vicia faba was mainly studied in this experimentation. By this study, it showed that: (1) When the metronidazole concentration was 0.1 mg/L, 6 mg/L, 12 mg/L, 40mg/L and 500 mg/L, the micronucleus frequencies of root tip cells in Vicia faba was significantly different from that of negative control group, and there was apparent dosage—effect relationship between the concentration of metronidazole and the micronucleus frequencies of root tip cells in Vicia faba；(2) Metronidazole could cause the damage of genetical materials (DNA), and it had the characteristic of molecular mutagenesis.

Key words: micronucleus, hereditary toxicity, metronidazole, root tip of Vicia faba

摘要： 本实验研究了甲硝唑诱导蚕豆根尖细胞微核的效应。实验表明：(1)浓度为0.1、6、12、40和500 mg/L甲硝唑均能使蚕豆根尖细胞微核率显著增加，且蚕豆根尖细胞微核率和甲硝唑浓度之间存在明显的剂量—效应关系；(2)甲硝唑能引起DNA损伤，具有分子诱变剂的性能。

关键词: 微核, 遗传毒理, 甲硝唑, 蚕豆根尖