The Lethal Effects of Alpha Irradiation on Wild-Type and on a High-Catalase Mutant of Rheudopseudomonas spheroides

Journal Article · Sat Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1962 · Radiation Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3571316· OSTI ID:4758649

Clayton, Roderick K.; Rudolph, P. S.

Wild-type Rhodopseudomonas spheroides and a highcatalase mutant were studied with regard to the lethal actions of alpha -particles from radon and of reagent H₂O₂. The catalase of the mutant affords marked protection against H₂O₂ but not against alpha -particles. The killing by alpha -irradiation was not changed materially by altering the cell suspension density or by the presence of oxygen during irradiation. Application of target theory indicated that a cell loses viability if any part of it is intersected by the track of an alpha particle. Exposure of wild-type R. spheroides cells to externally applied 1 M H₂O₂ for 30 seconds reduced the viable count by 50%. It was concluded that H₂O₂ in its ground state does not play a significant part in mediating the lethal action of alpha -particles on R. spheroides.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., Tenn.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-17-004416
• OSTI ID: 4758649
• Journal Information: Radiation Research, Journal Name: Radiation Research Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 17; ISSN 0033-7587
• Publisher: Radiation Research Society
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ALPHA PARTICLES
BACTERIA
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
CATALASE
CIRCUITS
COILS
CONTROL
CURRENTS
ENZYMES
HYDROGEN PEROXIDES
LIFETIME
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETS
MASS SPECTROMETERS
OPTICAL SYSTEMS
RADIATION PROTECTION
RADON
RHODOPSEUDOMONAS
STABILITY
VARIATIONS