Effects of Ionization (5)

Question 1

Direct Action

Answer 1

Radiation directly interacts with a cells molecules

• damage Cell components (walls, DNA) causing:
• Damage to tissue or organs
• increase or decrease in hormone production
• alter cell division rate
• kill tissues or organs

Question 2

Indirect Action

Answer 2

Free radicals are created (unstable + highly reactive) created when bonds between atoms are broken.

• Interact with atoms chemically to produce harmful substances
• prevents cell division = abnormal size
• genetically altered cells
• cell death
• alter cell division rate

Question 3

Biological effects/amount of damage from radiation is impacted by these factors:

Answer 3

• Radio sensitivity of exposed tissue
• type of radiation
• percentage of body exposed
• size of received dose
• dose rate
• age of person
• biological differences