Radiation effects on DNA, Chromosomes and cells Flashcards
What are the three levels that biologic damage can be observed at?
- Molecular (DNA, RNA)
- Cellular (Cell structure)
- Organic level
Is molecular damage visible?
No, molecular damage is not visible under a microscope
At what level do we begin to see damge to an organism?
At the cellular level or organic level
T/F
Any visible radiation induced injuries at the cellular or organic level always begin with damage at the molecular level
True
What type of damage results in the formation of structurally changed molecules that may impair cellular functioning?
Molecular damage
What are the four categories of radiation effects on DNA?
- Base damage
- Single strand breaks
- Double strand breaks
- Crosslinks/crosslinking
What type of action causes the most damage to DNA?
Indirect action
What damage is this describing?
Change or a loss of base pairs
Base damage
What damage is this describing?
Break in the backbone of one chain of a DNA molecule
Single strand breaks
What damage is this describing?
Break in both chains of the DNA molecule
Double strand breaks
What damage is this describing?
Intrastrand or interstrand bases sticking together
Crosslinking
What are the three types of molecular damage to the DNA?
- Cross linking
- Main chain scission
- Point lesions
What are the 4 outcomes that a damaged DNA can cause?
- Cell repair
- Metabolic changed causing malignancies
- Cell death/organ/tissue damage
- Genetic damage to reproductive cells
What type(s) of action causes single strand breaks
Indirect and direct action (most likely indirect)
Is damage reversible with single strand breaks? If so, how?
Yes, repair enzymes are often capable of reversing the damage
If single strand breaks are unable to be repaired, what injury is likely to occur to the DNA?
Point lesions
What happens during a single strand break?
There is a transfer of energy which ruptures one of the molecules chemical bonds, severing one of the sugar phosphate chain side rails
Is damage reversible with double strand breaks? What makes damage easier to repair with double strand breaks?
-Yes, but not as easy as single strand breaks
-Damage is easier to repair if the breaks are far enough apart
What type of LET is more likely to cause double strand breaks?
High LET
If double strand breaks are unable to be repaired, what injury is likely to occur to the DNA?
-Further separation may occur in the DNA chains, threatening the life of the cell
What happens during a double strand break?
Further exposure to an affected DNA molecule can lead to additional breaks in the sugar-phosphate chain
What are the results from a double strand break in the same rung of DNA?
-Broken chromosome with an unequal amount of genetic material
What will occur if a damaged chromosome divides?
Each new daughter cell will recieve an incorrect amount of genetic material, resulting in cell death or impaired functioning
T/F
Single strand breaks are often repaired.
True
What action(s) is most likely to cause covalent cross inks?
Both direct and indirect action can cause covalent cross links
What occurs during cross linking?
Radiation can cause strands of DNA to attach to other macromolecules or to other segments of the same macromolecule chain
What damage occurs from crosslinking?
-Reproduction arrest and cell death if not repaired
What are the 2 patterns in which crosslinking can occur?
- Intrastrand cross link
- Interstrand cross link
What is intrastrand crosslinking?
Atttachement of two regoins of the same DNA strand above or below
What is interstrand cross linking?
Attachment between two complimentary DNA strands (on the opposite side) or on a dompletely different DNA molecule