The efficiency of radical production by x-rays in dry proteins and nucleic acids.

Abstract

Data are tabulated on the yields of radicals per 100 ev of absorbed energy for several proteins and nucleic acids exposed in the dry state to various doses of x radiation. Spectrographic recordings of paramagnetic absorption in the irradiated.samples were analyzed and findings compared with previous results on amino acids. Results indicate that yields in proteins and nucleic acids are of the same orders as those in amino acid;. Applications of the findings in efforts to elucidate the part played by radicals in primary mechanisms of radiation damage in biological systems are discussed briefly. (C.H.)