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Environment and Brain Student Presentations > Radiowaves, Nanoplastics, and Radiation > Flashcards

Radiowaves, Nanoplastics, and Radiation Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the main environmental source of radiowaves? (1)

A

Mobile phones

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2
Q

Name some dangers that radiowaves pose to humans. (6)

A
  • Heating and damage to tissues
  • Increased body temperature
  • Gene mutations (eg. cancer)
  • Neuronal apoptosis
  • Myelin changes
  • Ion channel changes
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3
Q

Aside from radiowaves causing danger to humans, give one other effect of mobile phones on human health. (1)

Explain the mechanism. (1)

Give a way to mitigate this risk. (1)

A
  • Reduced sleep quality
  • Blue light inhibits melatonin production
  • Reduce blue light exposure
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4
Q

Describe the main way that radiowaves cause damage to the brain. (1)

A

BBB damage and increased permeability

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5
Q

Describe three mechanisms by which radiowaves can damage the BBB. (3)

A
  • Altered tight junctions due to thermal effects
  • Oxidative stress & inflammation
  • Calcium ion influx via VGCC activation by radiowaves (damages tight junctions)
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6
Q

One way in which radiowaves increase BBB permeability is though activation of VGCCs and calcium influx.

Give two other effects of Ca influx, other than damaging the BBB. (2)

A
  • Damages cells
  • Alters signalling pathways
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7
Q

Give two ways to mitigate radiowaves causing damage to the brains of humans. (2)

A
  • Increase distance between body and phone
  • Limit children’s use (radiation penetrates deeper)
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8
Q

What are nanoplastics? (1)

A

Synthetic polymers with dimensions ranging from 1nm to 1um

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9
Q

Give the three major environmental sources of nanoplastics. (3)

A
  • Degradation of larger plastics
  • Personal care products
  • Synthetic textiles
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10
Q

Fill the gaps relating to NANOPLASTICS. (5)

Nanoplastics in the environment, are found in ……………………., ………………………, and …………………….., and show ……………………… in the environment.
They may bioaccumulate in organisms throughout the …………………………..

A

Water

Soil

Air

Persistence

Food chain

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11
Q

Describe an occupational hazard of nanoplastics. (1)

I.e. name an occupation which may be more at risk of nanoplastics.

A

Workers in plastic industries (manufacture; recycling; waste management)

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12
Q

Give three potential dangers of nanoplastics to humans. (3)

A
  • Respiratory issues
  • Inflammation
  • Cancer
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13
Q

Give five potential neurobiological mechanisms of nanoplastics acting on the brain. (5)

A
  • Penetration of BBB
  • Neurotoxicity (potentially via mitochondrial damage)
  • DA dysregulation
  • a-synuclein binding/misfolding
  • Alters hippocampal molecules (5HT; AChE; GABA; BDNF; CREB) to impact memory
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14
Q

Give three ways to mitigate nanoplastic exposure. (3)

A
  • Decrease levels at source
  • Filter/coagulation of drinking water
  • Wastewater treatment
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15
Q

Briefly describe a legislation which aims to minimise human nanoplastic exposure from the environment. (1)

A

UK government ban on single-use plastics and microbeads in cosmetics

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16
Q

Give two ways in which nanoplastic exposure may be lowered in the future. (2)

A
  • Photocatalytic degradation
  • Membrane bioreactor
17
Q

Describe ionising radiation, in terms of wavelength and ability to cause tissue damage. (2)

A

Short wavelength

Causes tissue damage

18
Q

Describe non-ionising radiation, in terms of wavelength and energy levels. (2)

A

Long wavelength

Lower energy

19
Q

RADIATION:
Describe alpha particles, in terms of skin penetration and other ways they can enter the body. (2)

A
  • Cannot penetrate skin
  • Can cause damage if inhaled or ingested
20
Q

RADIATION:
Describe beta particles, in terms of skin penetration and other ways they can enter the body. (2)

A
  • Some can enter/burn skin
  • Most harmful when inhaled/ingested
21
Q

RADIATION:
Describe gamma rays in terms of penetration and damage to body. (2)

A
  • Can pass through body
  • Can cause tissue and DNA damage
22
Q

Give six environmental sources of radiation. (6)

A
  • Cosmic radiation (from space)
  • Terrestrial elements (materials from Earth’s crust, eg. uranium)
  • Radon (gas from rocks and soil which can accumulate in buildings)
  • Industrial processes (mining, metal smelting, manufacturing processes)
  • Nuclear accidents
  • Medical imaging (X-rays)
23
Q

How does radiation exposure from cosmic radiation vary with altitude? (1)

A

Higher levels at higher altitudes

24
Q

True or false? Explain your answer if necessary. (1)

Both single and chronic doses of radiation can cause damage to humans.

A

True

25
Q

True or false? Explain your answer if necessary. (1)

The foetus is much more susceptible to damage from radiation than the child.

A

False - the foetus is not more susceptible than the child

26
Q

Which sex is more susceptible to damage from radiation in the environment? (1)

A

Females

27
Q

Give four acute risks to humans of radiation exposure. (4)

A
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Hair loss
  • Radiation burns
  • Death
28
Q

Give a chronic risk to humans of radiation exposure in the environment. (1)

A

Cancer

29
Q

Give four nervous system risks to humans of radiotherapy. (4)

A
  • Fibrosis
  • Nerve compression
  • Axonal damage
  • Demyelination
30
Q

Give two CNS risks to humans of radiation/radiotherapy exposure. (2)

A
  • Alzheimer’s
  • BBB damage
31
Q

Describe two neurobiological mechanisms by which radiation can cause damage to the brains of humans. (2)

A
  • Damage to DNA (and mutations)
  • Downregulation of cognitive pathways
32
Q

Give two potential treatments for radiation/radiotherapy exposure in humans. (2)

A
  • Analgesics and physiotherapy for nerve damage
  • Flavonoids for oxidative damage
33
Q

Briefly describe two laws which aim to minimise radiation exposure to humans. (2)

A
  • Occupational exposure laws (IRR17)
  • Laws around medical exposure

Environment and Brain Student Presentations (6 decks)

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