Radiation causes biological tissue damage through the process of?

Radiation causes biological tissue damage through the process of?

• A. ionization
• B. oxidation
• C. fusion
• D. decomposition

Answer: (A)

Radiation causes biological tissue damage primarily through the process of ionization. This occurs when radiation energy interacts with atoms in the biological tissue, leading to the ejection of electrons from those atoms, which creates charged particles or ions. The formation of these ions can disrupt molecular structures, including DNA, proteins, and other critical cellular components, leading to cellular dysfunction, mutations, or cell death. Ionization is a key mechanism by which radiation exerts its harmful biological effects, as it can directly damage DNA or generate free radicals that indirectly cause further damage. The significance of ionization in radiation safety highlights the need for protective measures and protocols to minimize exposure to ionizing radiation in clinical and occupational settings. Other processes listed, such as oxidation, fusion, and decomposition, do not directly relate to the primary mechanisms of radiation-induced biological damage.

Radiation causes biological tissue damage primarily through the process of ionization. This occurs when radiation energy interacts with atoms in the biological tissue, leading to the ejection of electrons from those atoms, which creates charged particles or ions. The formation of these ions can disrupt molecular structures, including DNA, proteins, and other critical cellular components, leading to cellular dysfunction, mutations, or cell death.

Ionization is a key mechanism by which radiation exerts its harmful biological effects, as it can directly damage DNA or generate free radicals that indirectly cause further damage. The significance of ionization in radiation safety highlights the need for protective measures and protocols to minimize exposure to ionizing radiation in clinical and occupational settings. Other processes listed, such as oxidation, fusion, and decomposition, do not directly relate to the primary mechanisms of radiation-induced biological damage.