Date of Award:
5-1967
Document Type:
Thesis
Degree Name:
Master of Science (MS)
Department:
Plants, Soils, and Climate
Department name when degree awarded
Botany
Committee Chair(s)
W. S. Boyle
Committee
W. S. Boyle
Committee
A. H. Holmgren
Committee
J. R. Simmons
Committee
R. J. Shaw
Abstract
Large differences exist between plant species in their response to ionizing radiation. The factors involved in radiosensitivities are complex and not well understood. The best criterion, so far, in studies on the acute lethal level of radiation for plant species is the average interphase chromosome volume (Sparrow et al. 1963). There are also close relationships that exist between DNA content, nuclear volume, total chromosome volume and radiosensitivity (Bowen, 1962; Sparrow et al. 1963; Sparrow et al. 1965). These investigators have observed in a series of species that an increase in nuclear volume is often accompanied by an increase in DNA content, chromosome volume and radiosensitivity. In view of these relationships we had reason to believe that total chromosome length at mitotic metaphase, determined by karyotype analysis, might well prove to be a useful index of comparative radiosensitivity. The usefulness, or lack thereof, of total chromosome length as an index of radiosensitivity is, therefore, the major question that this investigation attempts to resolve.
The karyotype data also contributes information helpful in arriving at an understanding of the phylogenetic relationships of the experimental material.
Recommended Citation
Braegger, David R., "Karyotype Analysis as an Index of Radiosensitivity of a Grass Hybrid" (1967). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 9132.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/9132
Included in
Copyright for this work is retained by the student. If you have any questions regarding the inclusion of this work in the Digital Commons, please email us at .