Biological Effects Of Radiation :: essays research papers

The biologic Effects of RadiationWhether the source of ir shaft of light is natural or man made, whether it is a small dose of shaft or a large dose, there will be some(a) biologic effects. Radiation causes ionisations of atoms, which will affect whits, which whitethorn affect cells, which whitethorn affect tissues, and so on. Although most people slope to think of biological effects in considerations of the effect of beam on animate cells, in actuality, ionizing radiation, by definition, interacts only with atoms by a process called ionization (Chandra p. 205). Thus, all biological damage effects begin with the consequence of radiation interactions with the atoms multifariousnessing the cells.Even though all subsequent biological effects move be traced back to the interaction of radiation with atoms, there are 2 mechanisms by which radiation ultimately affects cells. These two mechanisms are commonly called read and indirect effects. If radiation interacts with the ato ms of the DNA molecule, or some otherwise cellular component critical to the survival of the cell, it is referred to as a direct effect. such(prenominal) interaction may affect the ability of the cell to reproduce and, thus, survive. If sufficient atoms are affected in such a way that the chromosomes do not replicate properly, or there is a significant revolution in the information carried by the DNA molecule, then the cell may be destroyed by direct interference with its life-sustaining system. verificatory effects are caused by the reaction of radiation with the water that makes up the majority of the cells volume. When radiation interacts with water, it may break the bonds that hold the water molecule together. This produces fragments of hydrogen and hydroxyls. These fragments may recombine or they may interact with other fragments to form compounds, such as water, which would not harm the cell. It is when these fragments combine to form toxic substances, such as hydrogen per oxide, that the destruction of the cell results.Biological effects of radiation are typically divided into two categories. The commencement exercise category consists of exposure to high doses of radiation over brief intervals of cartridge clip producing acute effects (Hall p. 15). The second category represents exposure to low doses of radiation over extended periods of time producing chronic or long term effects (Hall p.15). High doses tend to kill cells, while low doses tend to damage or change them. High doses can kill so many cells that tissues and organs are damaged.