BIOCHEMICAL MECHANISM OF CELL DIVISION DISTURBANCE 



229 



non -irradiated leaves was also measured by Warburg's manometric 

 metliod. 



Much quicker darkening of the extracts of irradiated leaves compared 

 with normal lead us to suggest an intensification of the oxidation of 



c 

 0) 



u 



i_ 



Q- 



C 



O 



u 



Yis. 5. Oxidation of homogenated or irradiated leaves as a function of the dose and time 



after irradiation. 



phenolic components. The results of the investigation of the oxidation 

 of different phenols by extracts of irradiated and non-irradiated leaves 

 are shown m Table IV. The data obtained showed a considerable m- 

 crease in the enzymatic oxidation of tyrosine. 



Table IV. Intensity of oxidation of different phenols by extracts of 



irradiated leaves. 



Phenol 



Control 



Tyrosine 

 Pyrocatechol 

 Pyrogallol 

 Hydroquinone 



220 



139 



107 



92 



An investigation of peroxidases in the leaves of young maize plants 

 (six-day-old sprouts), was made by Berezina, who used Boyarkin's 

 method (1951) with benzidine, and found the results shown in Table V, 

 which also clearly show an activation of these enzymes l-5hr after 

 irradiation with 40,000 r. 



