Question

Which of the following effect is produced by colchicine?

• A. Duplication of DNA
• B. Duplication of chromosomes
• C. Formation of spindle fibres
• D. Hinderance in the formation of middle wall

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Duplication of chromosomes

Colchicine is an alkaloid from the tree Colchicum autumnale (meadow saffron), used as a suppressant for gout. It is a compound that blocks the assembly of microtubules-protein fibers necessary for cell division and some kinds of cell movements, including neutrophil migration. Colchicine is a toxic chemical that is often used to induce polyploidy in plants. Basically, the colchicine prevents the microtubule formation during cell division, thus, the chromosomes do not pull apart like they normally do. The end result is a cell that now has double the number of chromosomes that it would normally have. Thus, option B is correct.