Latent Radiation Damage and Synchronous Cell Division in the Epidermis of an Insect: II. Reversible Effects in Burn Repair

Abstract

Latent damage to resting cells of the epidermis of Rhodnius prolixus by exposure to a small beam of X-rays is not expressed until cell division occurs after a blood meal. The death of the irradiated cells results in a burn; when the insects are fed immediately after irradiation, burn formation is accompanied by a prolongation of the molting time. If feeding is delayed for several weeks, however, molting time returns to a normal level. The delay between irradiation and cell division does not affect the size of the burns.