Shrinking and Swelling after Alpha Irradiation of Various Parts of Large Erythrocytes.

Abstract

Erythrocytes from Amphiuma and from man were irradiated in vitro with polonium alpha particles (a) from an extended source (4 mm in diameter) and (b) with a small beam (20 μ in diameter). The cells first shrank, then swelled and hemolyzed. Local irradiation of a part of a single cell resulted in shrinkage only in the irradiated portion. This was followed by swelling of the whole cell and hemolysis.