Kinetic Studies on the Mechanical of Photoreactivation of Bacteriophage T2 Inactivated by Ultraviolet Light

Author: Bowen, George Hamilton

Year: 1953

Degree: Dissertation (Ph.D.)

Advisor: Delbruck, Max

Committee Member: Unknown, Unknown

Option: Biology

DOI: 10.7907/NCJW-ZP95

Abstract

Bacteriophage particles are called active if they are capable of generating a plaque when plated on agar by a standard technique. Exposure of the particles to ultraviolet radiation of wave length 253.7 m[mu] inactivates them in this sense. Following adsorption of the inactive particles to sensitive host bacteria, exposure of the suspension to light of the violet and near ultraviolet region causes a fraction of the particles to regain their activity, a phenomenon called photoreactivation.

The kinetics of photoreactivation of bacteriophage T2 have been investigated for the purpose of studying the mechanism by which photoreactivation takes place. The presence of a dark reaction in addition to the light reaction has been demonstrated. The dark reaction precedes the other and has the function of supplying the light-absorbing material which enters into the light reaction. Both the light and the dark reactions follow first-order kinetics.

The amount of photoreactivation produced by a given light treatment is determined by the interaction of the light and dark reactions. This interaction can be described satisfactorily in terms of a simple model for the reaction mechanism.

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