Actions Of Radiations On Living Cells about an article we have. The effects of ionizing radiation on living cells can be devastating. Radiation can induce DNA double-strand breaks, mutagenesis, and carcinogenesis. But the most damaging effect of radiation on living cells is the indirect action of the ionizing radiation on DNA molecules. In this article, you’ll learn more about the damage caused by radiation on DNA and how the actions of radiation on DNA can lead to cancer.
Indirect Actions Of Radiations On Living Cells
The in-direct action of radiation on living cells occurs when the high-energy ionizing radiation reacts with water molecules to produce free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that can react with DNA, resulting in cell damage and death. The damaged cells may develop the cellular changes necessary to cause cancer. The body has a number of mechanisms to repair damaged cells, but radiation exposure can cause permanent damage.
The direct action of radiation on living cells affects DNA by causing damage and mutations. The damage is caused when charged particles with sufficient kinetic energy interact with molecules in the cell. The resulting free radicals damage cellular components and lead to cancer. When a cell exposes to radiation, it may develop various diseases and even cause cell death. For these reasons, radiation exposure should be strictly limited.
DNA Double-Strand Breaks On Living Cells
The DNA within living cells is constantly exposed to various agents that can damage it. Some of these agents are UV light, certain mutagenic chemicals, ionizing radiation, and redox cycling of heavy metal ions. These agents can cause DNA double-strand breaks or DSBs. DSBs are a form of genomic instability and can lead to dicentric or acentric chromosomal fragments, which have tumourigenic potential. Other DSBs cause the repair of lesions, such as chromosome breaks.
While NHEJ is the primary pathway for repairing DNA double-strand breaks, the recruitment of the protein 53BP1 decreases as we age. Results in the alternative error-prone repair pathway known as Alt-EJ are probably one reason why DNA breaks increase with age. However, it is important to note that NHEJ does not cause aging in humans, so it is not the only cause.
Mutagenesis
Mutagenesis is a process of genetic alteration caused by the effects of radiation on living cells. These radiations can cause DNA molecule damage or interfere with the normal segregation of duplicated chromosomes to daughter cells. They may also cause chromosomal changes, affecting cell properties and causing cell death when cells divide. Although the exact mechanisms of radiation-induced mutagenesis are still not fully understood, the effects on living cells are potentially very serious.
DNA undergoes frequent chemical changes during DNA replication, but most of these changes repair quickly. Mutagenesis occurs when the repair mechanisms cannot keep pace with the rate of DNA alterations. Ionizing radiation can penetrate cells, damage DNA, and produce mutations by bombarding cells with ions. The ions in the cell’s contents can cause permanent DNA changes. This process called mutagenesis is a serious threat to the human and animal kingdom.
Carcinogenesis
Radiation exposure alters the DNA blueprint and code. This mutation leads to heritable changes. Its effects depend on the nature of the error and the time read it. Scientists call this a stochastic effect. Radiation-induced mutations in non germ cells result in cancer. In germ cells, however, mutations do not lead to cancer. They are responsible for many other diseases.
In humans, a carcinogen can be either a chemical or a radionuclide. These substances cause cancer by disrupting the metabolism of living cells. These agents are classified as carcinogens because they are both naturally occurring and man-made. While cigarettes know to cause cancer, radiation is also a potential cause of skin cancer. High-LET radiations, meanwhile, implicate the development of skin cancer.
Genetic Mutations
The rate of mutations induced by radiation on living measures cells in the form of the mutation rate doubling dose (MRD). This measure indicates the amount of radiation that causes the same number of mutations naturally occurring within a single generation. Moreover, it includes the rate of mutations in the d, se, and c loci. In general, MRD is lower in more sensitive genes. The rates of mutations underestimate systematically.
The rate of mutations is 10-8 to 10-9 mutations per base pair per cell division cycle. This rate is incredibly low, considering that the bone marrow and intestinal lining produce approximately 1011 cells per day. Nevertheless, the rate of mutations in the latter tissue can cause long-term consequences for the organism’s health. Because most mutations will not be detrimental, avoiding radiation exposure is important.
