Classification
- Electromagnetic
- Infra-red
- Ultraviolet
- X-ray
- Gamma-ray
- cosmic rays
- Particulate
- alpha particles (electron)
- beta particles(hydrogen nucleus)
Cellular damage mechanisms
- Direct DNA damage (TT dimers, base deletions, cross linkages)
- Indirect damage to proteins, membranes, enzymes (via free radicals - unpaired electron)
| Rad | Effect |
|
100,000 |
Death in minutes (nuclear bomb) |
Radiation sensitivity is not commensurate with a tissues capacity to regenerate.
| Radiosensitive (radidly growing) | Intermediate | Resistant |
| Bone marrow Gonads Growing cartilage/bone Lens of eye (risk from UV) Bowel Thyroid Pituitary Kidney Heart Lung Liver Brain Skin (risk from UV) |
Adult bone / cartilage Mouth mucosa Oesophagus Bladder |
Uterus Vagina Adrenal gland Pancreas |