SOME FACTORS AFFECTING THE RESPONSES OF PLANTS TO ACUTE AND CHRONIC RADIATION EXPOSURES
The radiobiological responses of a large number of species of higher plants were studied after acute or chronic irradiation of growing plants with gamma or x radiation. The radiation responses studied were of four main types: chromosome breakage, somatic mutation, growth inhibition, and lethality. The yield of somatic mutations is reduced by dose fractionation of acute exposures or, within limits, by reduced dose rates with chronic exposures. A correlation was shown between the acute and daily chronic doses necessary to produce severe growth inhibition in young plants of several different species. In diploid species a clear relationship was shown between the average nuclear volume of apical meristem cells and tolerance to chronic gamma radiation. Some theoretical aspects relating to the interrelationship of certarn major factors determining radiosensitivity are presented. These studies led to some new concepts of the role of cytogenetic damage in radiobiological responses. In particular, the roles of nuclear volume and chromosome number in determining radiosensitivity are considered in some detail. (P.C.H.)
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, N.Y.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-15-030491
- OSTI ID:
- 4841072
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-4912
- Journal Information:
- Radiation Botany, Vol. Vol: 1: No. 1; Other Information: BNL-4912. Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-61
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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