Understanding Ultraviolet Radiation

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How is ultraviolet radiation classified based on the interaction with biological materials?

UVA, UVB, UVC (correct)
Near, middle, far, extreme
Black light, effects on organisms, atomic excitation
Visible light, X-ray, fluorescence

What forms the ozone layer in the lower stratosphere?

Carbon dioxide
Nitrogen
Oxygen (correct)
Argon

Which division of ultraviolet radiation is responsible for its best-known effects on organisms?

UVB (correct)
UVA
Far region
UVC

How is ultraviolet radiation produced by high-temperature surfaces like the Sun?

As a continuous spectrum (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which region of ultraviolet radiation does not reach Earth's surface?

UVC (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does ultraviolet radiation interact with certain materials to cause fluorescence?

By emitting visible light (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism by which ultraviolet radiation causes skin cancer?

Ultraviolet radiation causes direct damage to the DNA of skin cells, leading to mutations that can cause cancer. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a positive effect of ultraviolet radiation on the human body?

Causing the skin to become thicker and more wrinkled, which can protect against skin cancer (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using ultraviolet radiation in fluorescent lamps?

To interact with phosphors that emit visible light (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical wavelength range of infrared radiation?

700 nanometers to 1 millimeter (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of thermal radiation emitted by objects near room temperature?

Infrared radiation (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a unique property of infrared radiation compared to other types of electromagnetic radiation?

It is undetectable by the human eye. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the primary reason for the increased hazardous effects of UVB radiation on organisms when the ozone layer becomes thin?

UVB radiation reaches the Earth's surface in higher amounts (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism by which melanin helps protect the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation?

Melanin absorbs ultraviolet radiation and limits its penetration into tissues (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the most direct consequence of severe ultraviolet sunburns on the human body?

Blisters, swelling, seepage of fluid, and sloughing of the outer skin (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why persons of light complexion experience the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation to a greater degree?

They have less melanin pigment in their skin (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the blood capillaries in the skin when it is exposed to ultraviolet radiation?

To dilate and aggregate red and white blood cells (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the tanning response in the skin when exposed to ultraviolet radiation?

To activate melanin pigments and migrate them to the surface of the skin (D) Signup and view all the answers