Table of Contents
How does radiation affect the molecules?
Radiation-induced ionizations may act directly on the cellular component molecules or indirectly on water molecules, causing water-derived radicals. Radicals react with nearby molecules in a very short time, resulting in breakage of chemical bonds or oxidation (addition of oxygen atoms) of the affected molecules.
How can radiation cause a mutation?
High levels of ionizing radiation can result in double-strand DNA breaks. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun results in dimerization of thymidine residues in DNA, and defective repair of these dimers leads to mutation.
How does radiation affect DNA structure?
Ionizing radiation directly affects DNA structure by inducing DNA breaks, particularly, DSBs. Secondary effects are the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that oxidize proteins and lipids, and also induce several damages to DNA, like generation of abasic sites and single strand breaks (SSB).
Which of the following is an effect of radiation on molecular DNA?
MECHANISMS OF RADIATION DAMAGE Radiation which is absorbed in a cell has the potential to impact a variety of critical targets in the cell, the most important of which is the DNA. Evidence indicates that damage to the DNA is what causes cell death, mutation, and carcinogenesis.
How does radiation affect the cells?
Radiation works by damaging the genes (DNA) in cells. Genes control how cells grow and divide. When radiation damages the genes of cancer cells, they can’t grow and divide any more. Over time, the cells die.
How does radiation cause pollution?
Radioactive pollution occurs when there is a presence or depositions of radioactive materials in the atmosphere or environment, especially where their presence is accidental and when it presents an environmental threat due to radioactive decay.
How does ionizing radiation affect a biomolecule?
Figure 3. Ionizing radiation can (a) directly damage a biomolecule by ionizing it or breaking its bonds, or (b) create an H 2 O + ion, which reacts with H 2 O to form a hydroxyl radical, which in turn reacts with the biomolecule, causing damage indirectly. Radiation can harm either the whole body (somatic damage) or eggs and sperm (genetic damage).
What are the biological effects of exposure to radiation?
Biological Effects of Exposure to Radiation. Its effects are more pronounced in cells that reproduce rapidly, such as the stomach lining, hair follicles, bone marrow, and embryos. This is why patients undergoing radiation therapy often feel nauseous or sick to their stomach, lose hair, have bone aches, and so on,…
What are the somatic and nonheritable effects of radiation?
Radiation may alter the DNA within any cell. Cell damage and death that result from mutations in somatic cells occur only in the organism in which the mutation occurred and are therefore termed somatic or nonheritable effects. Cancer is the most notable long-term somatic effect.
What are the side effects of radiation treatment for cancer?
Treatment can affect each person differently, and you may not have these particular side effects. Radiation to the brain can also have side effects that show up later – usually from 6 months to many years after treatment ends. These delayed effects can include serious problems such as memory loss, stroke-like symptoms, and poor brain function.