PHYSIOLOGICAL AND LIPID COMPOSITION CHANGES IN LICHENS DUE TO ACUTE GAMMA RADIATION

Abstract

  The influence of acute gamma radiation on three physiological characteristics and the lipid and fatty acid composition in Peltigera aphthosa and Hypogymnia physodes was investigated. Photosynthetic intensity in P. aphthosa decreased with increasing radiation dose. Respiratory intensity, membrane permeability and composition of individual lipids in both lichen species appeared to be relatively stable after radiation doses of 100 and 1000 Gy. A dose of 10000 Gy decreased the respiratory intensity, caused damage to cell membranes and considerable changes in lipid composition. As far as fatty acids concerned, gamma radiation stimulated their desaturation.