title: Effects of radiation upon the light-sensing elements of the retina as characterized by scanning electron microscopy.
abstract: A model system using Necturus maculosus, the common mudpuppy, was established for evaluating effects of radiation upon the light-sensing elements of the retina. Accelerated heavy ions of helium and neon from the Berkeley Bevalac were used. A number of criteria were chosen to characterize radiation damage by observing morphological changes with the scanning electron microscope. The studies indicated retina sensitivity to high-LET (neon) particles at radiation levels below 10 rads (7 particles per visual element) whereas no significant effects were seen from fast helium ions below 50 rads.
authors.affiliation: Donner Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Berkeley, Calif., USA.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Malachowski
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Tobias
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Leith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003359:Cosmic Radiation; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D020450:Heavy Ions; D006371:Helium; D018499:Linear Energy Transfer; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009338:Necturus maculosus; D009356:Neon; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental; D012062:Relative Biological Effectiveness; D012160:Retina / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017949:Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017948:Retinal Rod Photoreceptor Cells / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D006371:Helium; D009356:Neon