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Effects of radiation upon the light-sensing elements of the retina as characterized by scanning electron microscopy
M J Malachowski1, C A Tobias, J T Leith
1Donner Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Berkeley, Calif., USA.
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.
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