BIOL 114: The Effect of Microplastics on Arabidopsis thaliana growth and development

This study examined the impact of microplastics on the growth of Arabidopsis thaliana, comparing wild-type (WT) and mutant (MUT) plants to assess whether genetic background influences plant responses to environmental contaminants. The primary objective was to determine if microplastics inhibit growth and whether this effect varies by genotype. Plants were grown in controlled conditions with and without microplastic exposure, and diameters of the rosette were measured in each week. Results showed significant differences between microplastic-treated groups, with WT plants exhibiting increased growth, while MUT plants displayed reduced growth. No significant differences were found between the control groups. The findings suggest that microplastics may stimulate growth in WT plants, potentially through stress-induced responses or altered nutrient absorption. However, the mutation appeared to interfere with this response, preventing the growth enhancement observed in WT plants. These results indicate that genetic factors play a crucial role in how plants interact with microplastics. Understanding these mechanisms is essential, as microplastic pollution is an emerging environmental concern with potential implications for plant health and ecosystem stability. Further research is needed to explore the underlying biological pathways and long-term effects of microplastic exposure on different plant genotypes.