Cadmium-induced ultrastructural changes in mitochondria of freshwater green algae

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Abstract
Striking changes in mitochondrial fine structure accompany the growth of Ankistrodesmus falcatus, Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Scenedesmus quadricauda in culture medium containing cadmium chloride chelated with EDTA. The presence of extremely prominent intramitochondrial dense granules is the most noticeable feature. The granules were interpreted to contain cadmium on the basis of energy dispersive X-ray analysis. While mitochondria of untreated cells appear as ovoid to rod-shaped organelles with either plate-like or tubular protrusions of the inner mitochondrial membrane, those of cadmium-exposed cells contain electron-lucid areas suggesting that the organelles are not very active. Ultrastructural changes in the form of swelling and mitochondrial vacuolation were observed. Additionally, successive stages of mitochondrial degeneration are described. It is suggested that since these alterations in mitochondrial fine structure may be sufficient to deleteriously affect cell metabolism, the mitochondrion should be considered as the primary target for cadmium-associated cytotoxicity. Possible relationships between sites of inhibition and the resultant structural abnormalities are discussed.

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