SOMATIC RADIATION EFFECTS

Mechanisms of the origin and the compensation of somatic radiation effects are discussed using experimental and some human data. Cell cultures or different tissues respectively serve as models in order to demonstrate the amount of doses, the quality of doses and the dose rate as the most important physical parameters as well as the activity of proliferation and the degree of differentiation and maturity as the most important biological parameters for the irradiation effects. Alterations at the level of organs are represented for testicles, ovary, intestine, haemopoetic systems and the central nervous system. Furthermore, immediate and longtime sequelae of irradiations during development are shown for animals, with regard to their transferability to man.