What happens when DNA is damaged by radiation?
What happens when DNA is damaged by radiation?
Ionizing radiation directly affects DNA structure by inducing DNA breaks, particularly, DSBs. Secondary effects are the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that oxidize proteins and lipids, and also induce several damages to DNA, like generation of abasic sites and single strand breaks (SSB).
Does radiation destroy DNA?
Radiation damages the genetic material (DNA) causing single strand breaks (SSB) or double strand breaks (DSB) in the cells, thus blocking their ability to divide and proliferate further.
What counter can detect radiation?
Geiger counter
Detecting radiation is achieved through the use of a variety of instruments. The most common type of radiation detector is a Geiger-Mueller (GM) tube, also called a Geiger counter.
How does radiation cause mutation in DNA?
Ionizing radiation, such as X-rays and gamma rays, is a high-energy kind of radiation that causes ions and free radicals to form. These ions and free radicals can go on to break covalent bonds in other molecules, such as DNA.
How does radiation affect one’s DNA?
Alpha particles, beta particles and X-rays can directly affect a DNA molecule in one of three ways: Changing the chemical structure of the bases; Breaking the sugar-phosphate backbone; or Breaking the hydrogen bonds connecting the base pairs.
Why does radiation damage or break DNA?
Radiation and DNA damage created by it, takes place because of the energy released by atoms in the form of electromagnetic waves and particles. When the waves or particles impact the cell, the energy is liberated potentially damaging its structures.
What are the effects of radiation on DNA?
Ionizing radiation, the type of radiation released by radioactive materials, also contributes to DNA mutation. Like UVB, ionizing radiation causes direct DNA damage that lead to mutations. Exposure ionizing radiation leads to double-stranded breaks in DNA, so both parts of the DNA molecule are broken at the same spot.
What does damaging a DNA cell do?
DNA damage is an abnormal chemical structure in DNA, while a mutation is a change in the sequence of standard base pairs. DNA damages cause changes in the structure of the genetic material and prevents the replication mechanism from functioning and performing properly.
