The Ames test is a widely used method for determining the mutagenic potential of chemicals. It is named after its creator, Bruce Ames, who developed the test in the 1970s. The Ames test is an important tool for identifying potential carcinogens and other harmful substances.
Definitions
The Ames test is a biological assay used to evaluate the mutagenic potential of chemical compounds. The test is conducted using bacterial strains that are genetically modified to require a specific amino acid for growth. The test involves exposing the bacteria to a chemical compound and then observing whether the bacteria are able to grow in the absence of the required amino acid. If the bacteria are able to grow, it indicates that the chemical compound has caused a genetic mutation in the bacteria.
Origin
The Ames test was developed by Bruce Ames, a biochemist at the University of California, Berkeley, in the 1970s. Ames was interested in finding a quick and reliable way to test the mutagenic potential of chemicals. The Ames test was the result of his research, and it quickly became a widely used method for identifying potential carcinogens and other harmful substances.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the Ames test is “a test for identifying mutagenic agents in which a strain of bacteria that has lost the ability to synthesize an essential nutrient is exposed to a suspected mutagen and observed for the appearance of revertant colonies that have regained the ability to synthesize the nutrient.”
The Oxford English Dictionary defines the Ames test as “a test used to determine the mutagenic potential of chemical compounds, in which bacteria are exposed to the compound and observed for genetic mutations.”
Associations
The Ames test is often used in the field of toxicology to evaluate the potential mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of chemicals. It is also used in the development of new drugs and other pharmaceuticals to ensure that they are safe for human use.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for the Ames test include the bacterial reverse mutation assay, the Salmonella/microsome test, and the Ames/Salmonella test.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms for the Ames test, but other methods of evaluating the mutagenic potential of chemicals include the in vitro micronucleus assay and the comet assay.
The same root words
The Ames test is named after its creator, Bruce Ames, and does not have any significant root words.
Example Sentences
- The Ames test is an important tool for evaluating the mutagenic potential of chemicals.
- The results of the Ames test showed that the chemical compound was mutagenic.
- The pharmaceutical company conducted an Ames test on their new drug to ensure that it was safe for human use.