THE EFFECT OF RADIOACTIVE RADIATIONS AND X-RAYS ON ENZYMES : V. THE INFLUENCE OF VARIATION OF THE THICKNESS OF THE ABSORBING LAYER OF SOLUTIONS OF PEPSIN UPON THE RATE OF RADIOCHEMICAL INACTIVATION OF THE ENZYME.

Evidence is presented which indicates: (1) that the effect of gamma radiation is negligible with respect to that of beta radiation upon pepsin in dilute solution under the conditions employed in the experiments made; (2) approximately the thickness of fluid layer which may be regarded as necessary and sufficient to practically completely absorb the available beta radiation; (3) that the mean reaction speed coefficient in radiochemical inactivation of pepsin varies inversely with the volume of solution irradiated if the thickness of the fluid layer satisfies the sufficient condition stated in (2), and beyond this as far as has been studied.