Effect of Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Field on the Growth Rate of Bacteria

Developments in technology has resulted an increase in the use of electrical appliances. Electrical appliances use an alternating current with a frequency of 50 Hz. This alternating current generates an electromagnetic field which is also varies with time. This type of electromagnetic field is classified as a low frequency magnetic field that fills our living environment. In this thesis, the effect of this low frequency magnetic field is investigated on the biological systems. Escherichia coli (prokaryote) (ATCC 25922) and Drosophila melanogaster (eukaryote) are used as two different biological systems. Escherichia coli is exposed to low frequency magnetic field for three different magnetic field intensities. It is shown that the low frequency magnetic field decreases the growth rate of the bacteria. Drosophila melanogaster is exposed to low frequency magnetic field and shown that the low frequency magnetic field affects the number of pupa generation negatively. Keywords: Extremely low frequency magnetic field, Escherichia coli (E.coli ATCC25922), drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly).