A Study of the Effect of Gamma Radiation on Sporulation and Growth of Yeast

Abstract

The present study was initiated with the purpose of determining and comparing the effect of gamma radiation on the capacity of yeast cells to grow and sporulate. Using a new technique by which irradiated and non-irradiated yeast cells could be scored directly, it was found that sporulating yeast cells were more sensitive to radiation than growing cells, and that the inactivation of the capacity of an irradiated yeast cell to sporulate did not affect its ability to grow. Observations on irradiated sporulating cells indicated that spore-formation and reduction division of the nucleus, are closely allied phenomena. A short discussion of a probable mechanism of action of gamma radiation on sporulating yeast is included, together with suggestions for future research.