Results of cytogenetic studies of seeds after their extended orbital flight aboard the Salyut orbital scientific station

Life Sci Space Res. 1973:11:111-5.

Abstract

Air-dry seeds of Lactuca sativa (lettuce) with a different level of spontaneous mitagenesis were used in these experiments. A part of the seeds was given pre-flight gamma radiation in doses of 1 and 10 krads. Comparison of the results for the in-flight experiments, laboratory and "transport" control showed an increase of cells with chromosome aberrations and an increase of radiobiological effect in irradiated seeds flown aboard the Salyut scientific station. A comparative analysis was made of the cytogenetic changes in seeds after their exposure to different periods of weightlessness during the Cosmos 368, Zond 8 and Salyut missions. The effect of weightlessness of different duration on the development of cytogenetic changes in irradiated and unirradiated seeds is discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Chromosome Aberrations*
  • Cosmic Radiation*
  • Extraterrestrial Environment
  • Gamma Rays
  • Lactuca / genetics
  • Lactuca / growth & development
  • Lactuca / radiation effects*
  • Mutagenesis
  • Mutation
  • Seeds / cytology
  • Seeds / genetics
  • Seeds / radiation effects*
  • Space Flight*
  • Weightlessness*