Rad Bio Flashcards
x-rays, gamma rays are what kind of radiation (charged/particulate)?
neutron?
alpha/beta/proton?
uncharged, non-particulate
uncharged, particulate
charged, particulate
Five radiation characteristics that effects ionization in living tissues
- charge (Q)
- energy (E)
- mass (M)
- velocity (V)
- linear energy transfer (LET)
Greater charge effect on tissue?
Greater ionization
Greater Energy effect on tissue?
greater cell death, greater ionization
Mass of ionizing particle effect on tissue?
Lighter - sparse ionization, follow indirect path
Heavy - Densely ionizing, direct path
Velocity of ionizing particle effect on tissue
Increase velocity = decrease ionizations
Why does increasing velocity of a particle decrease ionization?
slower particle has greater chance of coming close to orbital electron
Linear energy transfer (LET) definition?
avg energy released on ionization per length (keV/um)
High LET particles? Low?
High: alpha, proton, neutron
Low: x-rays, y-rays
LET vs charge? velocity?
LET directly proportional to square of charge
LET inversely proportional to square of velocity
LET proportional to Q^2/v^2
Primary target for cell damage from ionizing rad?
DNA
Double strand DNA break leads to (3)
Cell death
genetic mutations
carcinogenesis
Direct effect of ionizing damage? How much biological damage caused this way?
Direct ionization of macromolecule (DNA); 1/3rd
Indirect effect of ionization damage? How much bio dmg caused this way?
- ionize water to free radical OH and H (and an aqueous electron)
- free radical interacts with DNA
2/3
How fast does damage happen from these mechanisms?
10e-5 seconds