AON cn,AOE *ND.EE ae Blood Cell Aberrations As mentioned earlier in the section dealing with early or acute effects, moderate to heavy doses of radiation will result in the decrease of the production of certain kinds of blood cells. One of the late effects noted is the production of aberrations, or unusual forms of certain cells through a change in the chromosomes which make up the revroductive part of the cell. All cells in the body are able to reproduce themselves, that is, they are able to go through a process of division, wherein one cell will split into two cells with each such cell having the same number and kind of chromosomes, thus enabling them to reproduce themselves again. This basic biologic feature allows our bodies to repair themselves, or to maintain certain necessary chemical balances. Thus, a cut or scratch can heal and the skin be replaced with new tissues; we can manufacture new blood should we be seriously injured or if we donate a pint to a blood bank; or certain organs or tissues of the body, which are damaged, ean complete a repairing process which will enable us to function normally again. Again, we must recall the unique effect of the rays emitted by radioactive materials or sources -- the fact that they can ionize along their paths through tissues or substances. In passing through the blood or the areas which manufacture the blood (bone marrow), these particles may disturh the nucleus (center) or the chromosomes and produce unusual or aberrant forms. This may result in cells which are unable to divide and reproduce themselves, or in cells which reproduce themselves in an aberrant form. These aberrations can be seen many months or years after exposure 29