Abstract
Studies were designed to correlate the structural changes induced by ionizing radiation with functional events on a subcellular level. The results obtained so far provide the following evidence: the radiation injury to cells in interphase is mediated through the membrane system; the great radiosensitivity of lymphocytes may be explained by the paucity of cytoplasmic organelles, particularly mitochondria; the integrity of the membrane system, including mitochondria, is a critical factor in cellular radiosensitivity; interphase or acute cell death is explained by injury inflicted on the limiting plasma membranes; differential radiosensitivity between various cell types may be explained by the difference in cytoplasmic composition in respect to the quality and quantity of the membrane system including mitochondria; and displacement of intracellular enzyme systems is an underlying mechanism of radiation effects. (auth)
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