The Mechanisms of X-ray Effects on Cells

Irradiation of Tradescantia microspores does not increase subsequent sensitivity to x-rays as measured by the frequency of induced chromosomal aberrations curing the nuclear cycle. The slight decrease in sensitivity is to be expected because acentric fragments are less sensitive than the centric chromosomes. The physiological effects of x-rays appear to be of minor importance in causing injury or death of individual cells, and most of the deleterious effects can be attributed to "direct hits" which produce chromosomal alterations. In the reaction of tissues to x-rays the physiological effects may play a more important part.