How can X rays and gamma ray be dangerous to living things?

How can X rays and gamma ray be dangerous to living things?

Ionizing radiation can affect the atoms in living things, so it poses a health risk by damaging tissue and DNA in genes. Ionizing radiation comes from x-ray machines, cosmic particles from outer space and radioactive elements. Radioactive elements emit ionizing radiation as their atoms undergo radioactive decay.

Why are X rays and gamma rays considered dangerous forms of light?

This region, shown in Fig. 4.1, includes the extreme ultraviolet, x-ray and gamma-ray wavebands. That is why x rays and gamma rays are considered radiation and are dangerous to living beings – the energy transfer often produces permanent chemical changes, which can lead to cellular mutation in living tissue.

Can X rays harm living cells?

It is well known that high doses of ionizing radiation can lead to various harmful biological and health effects, such as cell mutation, cell killing (necrosis and apoptosis), skin burns, hair loss, birth defects, illness, cancer, and death.

Can gamma rays damage living cells?

Because gamma rays have such high penetrating power and can damage living cells to a great extent, they are often used in irradiation, a process used to kill living organisms.

What is the characteristic of ultraviolet ray that makes it harmful to some extent when one is exposed to it?

Unlike X-rays, ultraviolet radiation has a low power of penetration; hence, its direct effects on the human body are limited to the surface skin. The direct effects include reddening of the skin (sunburn), pigmentation development (suntan), aging, and carcinogenic changes.

How do gamma rays damage cells?

Recap. ・When the human body (its cells) is exposed to radiation (X rays and gamma rays), electrons are emitted from atoms and molecules. ・These radicals react immediately with surrounding atoms, causing abnormal chemical reactions (or, minor damage to localized areas of cells).

What are the effects of gamma radiation on cells?

Gamma radiation is well recognized as a potent carcinogen due to its potential of oxidative damage (Toule, 1987; Morgan et al., 1996). It causes a variety of lesions in DNA including single- and double-strand breaks, DNA-protein cross-links, oxidized bases and abasic sites (Cadet et al., 1999; UNSCEAR, 2000a).

Why are gamma rays harmful to living things?

Dangers and Uses of Gamma Rays The extremely high energy of gamma rays allows them to penetrate just about anything. They can even pass through bones and teeth. This makes gamma rays very dangerous. They can destroy living cells, produce gene mutations, and cause cancer.

How does gamma rays affect the environment?

Gamma rays from space are absorbed by Earth’s atmosphere. They can destroy living cells, produce mutations, and cause cancer.

What is the effect of radiation in the environment discuss?

Even sunlight, the most essential radiation of all, can be harmful in excessive amounts. Most public attention is given to the category of radiation known as “ionizing radiation.” This radiation can disrupt atoms, creating positive ions and negative electrons, and cause biological harm.