Toxic effects of radiation and radioactive materials

Question 1

Which of the following types is NOT a main type of radiation?

a. alpha particles
b. microwaves
c. beta particles
d. gamma rays
e. x-rays

Answer 1

b. microwaves

Question 2

which of the following statements regarding alpha particles is FASLE?

a. Alpha particles are ejected from the nucleus of an atom
b. the atomic number decreases by two after emission of an alpha particle.
c. The atomic weight decreases by two after emission of an alpha particle
d. Energies of most alpha particles range between 4 and 8 MeV.
e. Alpha particles are helium nuclei

Answer 2

c. The atomic weight decreases by two after emission of an alpha particle

Question 3

Which of the following types of radiation is likely the MOST energetic?

a. alpha particles
b. beta particles
c. positron emission
d. electron capture
e. Photon emission

Answer 3

a. alpha particles

Question 4

Pair production and the Compton effect characterize which type of radiation’s interaction with matter?

a. alpha particles
b. beta particles
c. positron particles
d. electron capture
e. photon emission

Answer 4

e. photon emission

Question 5

Which of the following statements regarding radiation DNA damage is FALSE?

a. Ionizing radiation slows down by forming ion pairs
b. A main form of radiation DNA damage occurs by the production of free radicals
c. High-LET radiation causes more ionizations than does low-LET radiation
d. Most DNA damage caused by radiation happens directly
e. Direct and indirect ionization cause similar damage to DNA.

Answer 5

d. Most DNA damage caused by radiation happens directly

Question 6

Low LET radiation:

a. causes large-scale ionizations throughout the cell
b. results from alpha particle emission
c. causes damage that is readily repaired by cellular enzymes
d. is also known as densely ionizing radiation
e. usually causes irreparable cell damage

Answer 6

c. causes damage that is readily repaired by cellular enzymes

Question 7

What is the most common type of DNA damage caused by low-LET radiation exposure?

a. base damage
b. DNA protein cross-links
c. single-strand breaks
d. double-strand breaks
e. thymine-dimer formation

Answer 7

c. single-strand breaks

Question 8

Which of the following statements regarding radon exposure is FALSE?

a. Miners are exposed to increased environmental radon levels.
b. Radon exposure has been linked to the development of lung cancer
c. Smokers are at a higher risk from radon exposure
d. Radon levels are relatively higher in urban areas than in rural areas
e. The use of open flames indoors increases radon exposure

Answer 8

d. Radon levels are relatively higher in urban areas than in rural areas

Question 9

The largest dose of radiation is received from which of the following sources?

a. inhalation
b. in body
c. cosmic
d. cosmogenic
e. terrestrial

Answer 9

a. inhalation

Question 10

The largest contributor to the effective dose of radiation in the U.S. population is which of the following?

a. nuclear medicine
b. medical x-rays
c. terrestrial
d. internal
e. radon

Answer 10

e. radon