HUMAN BIOLOGY AND FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF RADIOBIOLOGY Flashcards
What is the primary result of X-rays interacting at the atomic level?
Molecular changes in tissue
The study of the effects of ionizing radiation on biological tissue
Radiobiology
What are the three stages of early radiation effects on humans?
Hematologic syndrome, gastrointestinal syndrome, central nervous system syndrome
What are the late effects of radiation on humans?
Leukemia, malignant diseases, local tissue damage, lifespan shortening, genetic damage
What are the effects of fetal irradiation?
Prenatal death, neonatal death, congenital malformation, childhood malignancy, diminished growth
What is the principal atomic composition of the human body?
60% hydrogen, 25.7% oxygen, 10.7% carbon, 2.4% nitrogen, and trace elements
What are the four principal macromolecules in the human body?
Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids
What percentage of the human body is water?
80%
What is the most critical and radiosensitive target molecule in the body?
DNA
What are the primary functions of proteins in the body?
Provide structure, support, enzymes, hormones, and antibodies
What is the chemical formula for glucose?
C6H1206
Provide fuel for cell metabolism
carbohydrates
What is the main difference between DNA and RNA?
DNA has deoxyribose and thymine; RNA has ribose and uracil
What are the two principal types of nucleic acids?
DNA and RNA
What is the double-helix structure of DNA formed by?
Sugar-phosphate backbone and base pair bonding
What are the two major structures of a human cell?
Nucleus and cytoplasm
Acts as the “engine” of the cell, producing energy
mitochondria
Contain enzymes to digest cellular fragments and control intracellular contaminants
lysosomes
What is a codon in protein synthesis?
A series of three base pairs identifying an amino acid
What are the two general types of cells in the human body?
Genetic (germ) cells and somatic cells
What are the four phases of mitosis?
Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase
Chromosomes align along the equator and are most visible
metaphase
A process of reduction division in genetic cells
meiosis
The exchange of chromosomal material between chromatids
crossover
What percentage of human tissue composition is muscle?
43%
What is the most radiosensitive cell type in humans?
Stem cells
What are the four types of tissues in the human body?
Epithelium, connective and supporting tissue, muscle, nervous tissue
Lines all exposed surfaces of the body
epithelium tissue
What are parenchymal and stromal tissues?
Parenchymal is functional tissue; stromal provides structure
Radiosensitivity depends on metabolic state, proliferation rate, and cell maturity
Law of Bergonie and Tribondeau
What are the physical factors affecting radiosensitivity?
LET, RBE, protraction, and fractionation
Rate at which radiation energy is transferred to soft tissue
linear energy transfer (LET)
What is the typical LET value for diagnostic X-rays?
3 keV/μm
What is the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of diagnostic X-rays?
1.0
Ratio of radiation dose needed under anoxic vs. aerobic conditions
oxygen enhancement ratio (OER)
What are radiosensitizers?
Agents that enhance radiation effects
What are radioprotectors?
Agents that reduce radiation effects
What is the threshold dose in a dose-response relationship?
The dose below which there is no observed response
Response is directly proportional to dose, with no safe level
inear nonthreshold dose-response relationship
Response increases rapidly after a threshold dose is exceeded
sigmoid dose-response relationship