(āmz )
[Bruce Nathan Ames, U.S. biochemist, b. 1928]
A laboratory test of the mutagenicity of chemicals. Special strains of organisms are incubated with the test chemical, and their growth is an indicator of the mutagenicity of the substance. Most chemicals that test positive are carcinogens. Use of the test has helped reduce the use of mammals for tests of mutagenicity.