Part I: The effects of radio-active emanations upon bacteria; Part II: The tagging of E. Coli with radio-active iodine
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Abstract
The present thesis is an attempt by the author to fully describe the effects of radioactive emanations upon bacteria. The work consists of two sections. The first, a historical review of the literature which summarizes the effect of emanations from various sources upon different bacteria. This includes the effects upon the viable count, morphological and cultural characteristics, biochemical reactions and changes in virulence. An attempt is also made to explain the action of such radiations by means of the "Target Theory", other theories of possible modes of action are also discussed. The conclusions reached,in the first section are that radiations have a definite lethal effect upon bacteria, depending upon the type of radiation employed and the time and distance of exposure. Second, that it is possible to obtain mutant forms which are different from the parent forms in both cultural and morphological characteristics. Third, that it is possible to obtain changes in biochemical and of a immunological nature, but these are not permanent.
The second section is an effort by the author to confirm the work of earlier experimenters who have "tagged" E.coli with radioactive Iodine by means of a alkaline Iodination. This section describes the method of iodination as well as a description of the biochemical and cultural characteristics of such irradiated bacteria. The results indicated that from 9-12 per cent of the bacteria are "tagged" by this procedure; that the viable count is decreased by more 50 per cent due to the method of iodination rather than the effect of the radioactive isotope. Thirdly, that no differences in cultural or morphological characteristics were noted.
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Thesis (M.A.)--Boston University
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