Classification of BIological effects

Question 1

What are the two types of somatic effects

Answer 1

Deterministic and stochastic

Question 2

What is the Somatic deterministic effect

Answer 2

An effect that has a threshold dose, and will definitely happen over that threshold, usually acute, severity is proportional to dose

Question 3

What is the Somatic Stochastic effect

Answer 3

An effect that occurs by chance (no threshold dose), probability of the effect does increase with the dose, can be acute or chronic, severity is independent of dose.

Question 4

What is Genetic Stochastic effect

Answer 4

Same as somatic stochastic except it can only appear in the exposed person’s offspring. Mutations may result from sudden changes to genes or chromosomes, this can be from radiation or spontaneously.

Question 5

What does ARS mean

Answer 5

Acute radiation syndrome is an umbrella term to describe the deterministic effects of radiation at a certain dose

Question 6

What are the main three “effects” of acute radiation syndrome (Deterministic effects)

Answer 6

2-6SV is bone marrow syndrome
- Vomiting in 2 hours, severe blood changes, loss of hair in two weeks, recovery in month - year 70%

6-10SV is Gastrointestinal syndrome
- Vomiting in 1 hour, intestinal damage, severe blood changes, death in 2 weeks for 80-100%

> 10SV is Central nervous system syndrome
- Brain damage, coma, death

Question 7

Examples of somatic Deterministic effects

Answer 7

Skin burns, cataracts, hair loss. show up more immediately, can be weeks to months after exposure.

Question 8

Examples of Somatic stochastic effects

Answer 8

Most likely to be leukaemia, can be certain tumours. Show up years or decades after exposure.

Question 9

Examples of Genetic stochastic effects

Answer 9

Inherited genetic mutations that could result in birth defects, hereditary diseases, or increased cancer risk in offspring.

Question 10

Key differences between the three

Answer 10

Somatic Deterministic: Threshold dose, severity increases with dose, affects the exposed person, and effects are predictable.

Somatic Stochastic: No threshold, severity doesn’t change, probability increases with dose, affects the exposed person, and effects are random.

Genetic Stochastic: No threshold, severity doesn’t change, probability increases with dose, affects the offspring of the exposed individual, and effects are random.