Radiosensitivity parameters for lethal mutagenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans

For the first time track structure theory has been applied to radiobiological effects in living organisms. Data for lethal mutagenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans, obtained after irradiation with nine different types of ions of atomic number 1-57 and gamma rays have yielded radiosensitivity parameters (Eo, σo, κ, m = 68 Gy, 2.5 x 10-9 cm2, 750,2) comparable with those found for the transformation of C3HT10 1/2 cells (180 Gy, 1.15 x 10-10 cm2, 750, 2) but remote from those (Eo and σo ∼2 Gy, ∼5 x 10-7 cm2) for mammalian cell survival. (author)