Relationships between LET and RBE of lonizing Radiation in the induction of Somatic Mutations of Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

The effects of LET (linear energy transfer) of radiation on the induction of somatic chromosome mutations or gene mutations of Drosophila melanogaster were studied. For detecting somatic chromosome mutations and gene mutations, Drosophila wing spot system and eye-color spot system were used, respectively. The frequencies of somatic chromosome mutations or gene mutations induced after third instar larval treatment with 23 MeV neutrons, thermal neutrons, X-rays were examined. From these data, the RBE(relative biological effectiveness) values of 23 MeV neutrons relative to X-rays for induction of somatic chromosome mutations or gene mutations were calculated. The present results suggest that high LET radiations are efficient than X-ray in producing not only somatic chromosome mutations but also gene mutations.

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