Radiation Biology and Effects

What is the primary goal of the ALARA principle in radiobiology?

What is the term for the response to radiation that occurs months or years after exposure?

Which of the following is NOT a biological effect of radiation exposure?

What is the term for the response to extreme doses of radiation, resulting in tissue damage and organ dysfunction?

Which of the following is an example of a local tissue damage caused by radiation exposure?

What is the term for the human response to radiation exposure that occurs at the atomic level?

What is the term used to describe the dose of radiation expected to double the number of genetic mutations in a generation?

What is the study of the effects of ionizing radiation on biological tissue?

What is the primary function of proteins in the cell?

What is the term used to describe the breakdown of molecules into smaller substances?

What is the percentage of water in the human body?

What is the term used to describe the effects of radiation on the fetus?

What is the term used to describe the process of producing larger molecules from smaller ones?

What is the primary function of carbohydrates in the cell?

Radiobiology

X-rays can cause harm, leading to skin burns, cancer, cataracts, and leukemia.

ALARA Principle

Highest quality image with lowest amount of radiation exposure.

Biologic Effects

Human response occurs at the atomic level through ionization (excitation) of outer orbital electrons.
Direct and indirect effects occur, leading to molecule alteration, malfunction, and cell death.
Cell repair occurs through enzymes, allowing recovery and regeneration.

Radiation Dose Response

Deterministic Effects

Occur within days, causing tissue damage, organ dysfunction, and death.
Effects include:
- Acute Radiation Syndrome (hematologic, GI, and CNS syndromes)
- Local tissue damage (skin, gonads, extremities)
- Hematologic depression
- Cytogenic damage

Stochastic Effects

Occur months/years later, with a random response dependent on dose.
Effects include:
- Leukemia
- Malignant cancers (bone, lung, thyroid, breast)
- Local skin damage
- Life span shortening
- Genetic damage

Fetal Irradiation Effects

Pre-natal death
Neonatal death
Congenital malformation
Childhood malignancy
Diminished growth and development

Observed Radiation Effects

Early radiologists: leukemia
Atomic bomb survivors: malignant diseases
Radium watch dial painters: bone cancer
Irradiation in utero: childhood malignancies

Cell Theory

All plants and animals are constructed on basic fundamental units known as cells.

Molecules

Water: 80% (free and bonded states)
Proteins: 15% (long-chained macromolecules)
Lipids: 2% (macromolecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen)
Carbohydrates: 1% (composed solely of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen)
Nucleic acids: 1% (DNA and RNA)

Metabolism

Catabolism: breaking down molecules into smaller substances
Anabolism: producing larger molecules from smaller ones

This quiz covers the basics of radiobiology, including the harmful effects of X-rays, the ALARA principle, biological effects, and radiation dose response.