THE ROLE OF THE CELL NUCLEUS IN DETERMINING RADIOSENSITIVITY. Brookhaven Lecture Series No. 17
Results are summarized from recent studies of factors that affect the radiosensitivity of plant cells. Young plants of many different species were exposed to acute or chronic x or gamma radiation at a variety of exposure rates. Radiation damage was assayed by observations of chromosome breakage, somatic mutation, growth inhibition, or lethality. Clear relations were demonstrated between the average nuclear volume of meristematic cells and radiosensitivity of many diploid plant species. The larger the nucleus, the greater was the effect per r of exposure. The average size of the nucleus of a species was also positively correlated with the average DNA content per diploid cell. Radiosensitivity was found to be more closely associated with average DNA content per chromosome than with DNA per nucleus when species were compared that had a significant range in chromosome number. Other variables that may modify the relation between size and sensitivity are discussed. Data indicate that the number of sets of chromosomes, the degree of ploidy, and the average length of the nuclear cycle affect radiosensitivity. Gymnosperms were found to be much more sensitive to radiation than dicotyledonous angiosperms. (C.H.)
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, N.Y.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AT(30-2)-GEN-16
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-038739
- OSTI ID:
- 4634758
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-766; BNL-T-287
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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