Studies on Different Classes of Mutations Induced by Radiation of Drosophila Melanogaster Females.

ELETERIOUS mutations are produced in the germ plasm when animals are exposed to total body radiation. The ovaries of most higher animals contain germ cells a t different stages of development, and these cells may be expected to be affected to different degrees by ionizing radiation. I t is, therefore, of both practical and theoretical interest to study the mutation frequency in successive batches of germ cells produced by females subsequent to radiation exposure, since it is important to know whether or not mutated cells are eliminated from the germ line and if mutant-free eggs are eventually produced.