2022-06-19 12:02:06
Ionising radiations Ionising radiations cause ionisation (one or more electrons are pealed out from the outer shells of an atom) of atoms and molecules of the medium through which they pass.
Electromagnetic radiations such as short wavelength ultraviolet radiations (UV), X-rays and gamma rays and energetic particles produced in nuclear processes, electrically charged particles like alpha and beta particles produced in radioactive decay and neutrons produced in nuclear fission, are highly damaging to living organisms.
Electrically charged particles produced in the nuclear processes can have sufficient energy to knock electrons out of the atoms or molecules of the medium, thereby producing ions.
The ions produced in water molecules, for example, can induce reactions that can break bonds in proteins and other important molecules.
An example of this would be when a gamma ray passes through a cell, the water molecules near the DNA might be ionised and the ions might react with the DNA causing it to break.
They can also cause chemical changes by breaking the chemical bonds, which can damage living tissues.
Short range effects include burns, impaired metabolism, dead tissues and death of the organisms.
Long range effects are mutations increased the incidence of tumours and cancer, shortening of life-span and developmental changes.
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