Effects Of ZnO Nanoparticles On Biological Cells

The rapid development of nanotechnology worldwide has already made the nano-materials to the applications in industrialization stage progressively. However, the impacts of nano-materials on the environment have not been paid much attention, Because of the unique physical and chemical characteristics, nanosized materials are changing many basic scientific concepts, their properties differ substantially from those bulk materials of the same composition. Recent research on the biological safety of nano-materials is summarized. It has been demonstrated that nanoparticles had more adverse effects of direct and indirect exposure to nano-materials, related reports have shown that nanoparticles can enter cells and cross the blood-brain barrier which may increase the risk of human and environment. however, which on growth of plant have not been clear at present.ZnO is a technological important material. It is widely used in various fields .Previously, ZnO nanoparticles was considered to be biologically inert can and it be employed as a safe cosmetics because it reflects and scatters UV in sunlight. Recent results have established unequivocally that exposure to ZnO nanoparticles may lead to adverse biological effectsThis paper summarized the development course of nanotechnology, the industry status of nano-materials, the development of study on the bio-safety of nano-materials, the domestic and international studies on the toxicity of the manufactured nanomaterials, including fullerene, carbon nanotubes, titanium dioxide etc.The objective of this study is to determine the impact on onion epidermal cell caused by the above mentioned ZnO nanomaterials (synthesized via Sol-gel, hydrothermal method) and to compare the different responses of onion epidermal cells when exposed to various types of ZnO nanomaterials. Fluorescence microscopy is adopted to investigate the distribution of ZnO nanoparticles in onion epidermal cells and the effects of ZnO nanoparticles on the growth of Onion epidermal cells. The results indicated that the of ZnO nanoparticles of the size of about 5 nm can easy penetrate through the cell membranes, get into the cells, and accumulate around the karyon. Whereas the 200 nm ZnO nanorod can hardly penetrate through the cell membranes and get into the cell, thus the penetrating ability strongly depends on the shape and size of the ZnO nanoparticles.