II. Indirect Effects of X Rays on Chromosomes

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Abstract
In the progeny of irradiated Drosophila females, gynandromorphs due to elimination of the untreated paternal chromosome occur at a higher rate than in the controls. The probable explanation is that irradiation so disturbs the karyokinetic mechanism in the egg cytoplasm as to induce more frequent lagging of the male X chromosome. Irradiated females homo-zygous for the sex-linked recessive gene white, when mated to normal males, gave rise to more white daughters than did the controls. This suggests a mutagenic effect of X-rays exerted indirectly via the cytoplasm of the egg.