PROBLEMS OF ENERGY TRANSFER IN RADIATION-INDUCED CHROMOSOME DAMAGE

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1960 · Radiation Research, Suppl.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3583592· OSTI ID:4135425

Wolff, S

The phenomenon of chromosome breakage and its concomitant genetic effects has contributed greatly to our understanding of the biophysical effects of radiation and also of the nature of genetic mechanisms. Nevertheless, the problems of how and where the energy is transferred to the chromosome are largely untouched. The reason for this is that the amounts of energy introduced into the cell exceed by orders of magnitude the amount of energy required to bring about chemical change and the breakage of even the strongest bonds. Any type of chemical bond, therefore, can be broken. A further complication is that, with ionizing radiation, the energy of the photon is not given up in a single encounter but is progressively degraded, thus losing the simplicity of photochemical effects induced by monochromatic ultraviolet where the whole quantum of energy is completely absorbed. Studies have shown that not all of the breakage is induced by the direct breakage of the chromosome by the radiation, and that certain treatments can influence the yield of aberrations. It is in this area that attempts are being made to determine the chemical bonds attacked. Although several models of chromosome structure have been proposed, these all differ from one another and the precise physical or chemical structure of the chromosome is not actually known. Without this information, it is extremely difficult to make any coherent picture of energy transfer and chromosome breakage. 33 references. (auth)

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., Tenn.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-15-001304
• OSTI ID: 4135425
• Journal Information: Radiation Research, Suppl., Journal Name: Radiation Research, Suppl. Vol. Vol: 2
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ANIMAL CELLS
BIOCHEMISTRY
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
CHROMOSOMES
ENERGY
GENETICS
PHOTONS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION INJURIES
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION