Action of Ionizing Radiations on Carotene and Vitamin A

Abstract

MANY authors¹ have directed attention to the chemical effects of ionizing radiations, with the view of elucidating the sequence of events between the actual absorption of ionizing radiations in tissues and the biological effects which are known to be produced in radiotherapy. Experiments on enzyme and hormone preparations² have shown that the action of ionizing radiations upon aqueous solutions is indirect. It is well known that genetic mutations may be produced by ionizing radiations³, possibly by a direct effect on the hypothetical macro-molecule of the gene.