Abstract
There is no doubt that hydrogen peroxide is the primary molecular product formed by the action of ionizing radiation on oxygenated water. Since living cells always contain and are usually bathed in high concentrations of water and appreciable concentrations of oxygen, the conditions for production of HgOg by radiation are frequently present. A question of interest (Adler, 1963) may be phrased as follows: Does radiation-produced H2O2 have the opportunity to react with critical cell components? The answer to this question depends on (l) knowledge of the concentration and distribution of catalase within and around the cell and (2) understanding of the rate of reaction of hydrogen peroxide with critical cell components as compared to its rate of reaction with catalase.