Chromosome Aberrations Induced by Ionizing Radiations

TLDR: Comparisons among different types of ionizing radiations and among similar radiation types having different energies for their capacity for producing chromosome aberrations are of considerable fundamental importance in the study of aberration production.

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter discusses chromosome aberrations induced by ionizing radiations. Chromosome aberrations are used as general indices of cellular damage or as cell markers in studying cell-population kinetics in irradiated or tumor tissues. Of primary importance are the mechanisms involved in aberration induction and in the action of modifying agents that alter the overall frequency or relative frequencies of the different aberration types. The types of aberrations that are induced following irradiation or treatment with certain radiomimetic chemicals are classified according to the unit of breakage or exchange that is involved. The types of structural changes that can occur within or between chromosomes and chromatids are of two kinds: the simple deletion and the exchange. The simple deletion appears to be the result of a single break in the chromosome or chromatid and the exchange is a new rearrangement following the joining of breakage ends that result from separate breaks. Comparisons among different types of ionizing radiations and among similar radiation types having different energies for their capacity for producing chromosome aberrations are of considerable fundamental importance in the study of aberration production.