The chemical nature of DNA makes it prone to mutations.
Any mutation in the DNA can alter its functioning and cause genetic instability. It carries all the information required for the normal functioning of the body. ĭNA is vital for all living organisms because of its role in the storage of genetic information and inheritance. Examples of a few key regulatory genes include TP53, CDKN1A, GADD45A, cyclin B, and cyclin D. These studies have shown that even a dose of 1cGY-10cGY radiation can cause a disturbance in cellular functioning and changes the expression profile of a few genes. Various studies are done to find the relation between low doses of radiation and health. This exposure can also result in the manipulation of numbers, types, and patterns of gene expression. Several studies show that occupationally exposed individuals to low dose radiation have a higher frequency of DNA/chromosomal damage compared to other normal people. The study of the effect of low-dose radiation is of major concern. The best example to showcase this concept is the late effect of cancer incidence (including leukemia) among atomic-bomb survivors. The level of harm also depends on what period of time the person was exposed to radiation, as some radiations show late effects. But, sometimes high energy radiation even in a small dose can cause severe damage to the person. The radiations generally harm biological tissues when absorbed in a very high amount. The damage done to the tissue by radiation depends upon the type, quantity, and energy of the radiation absorbed by the person. In this condition, only a weak relationship is observed between the dose of the radiation and the severity of the effects. Stochastic effect: The mutagenic effects of radiation are included in this category such as cancers and hereditary mutations.Severe effects are observed on increasing the doses of the radiation (the relation between doses and the effects of radiation is detailed in the section below). This depends on the dose of radiation a person is exposed to. Deterministic effect: The killing effects of radiation fall into this category.The biological effect of radiation on humans is classified into two categories : But when misrepair occurs, it causes several mutations, chromosomal aberrations, and cancer.
These mutations are generally repaired by the repair mechanism of the body. Causes double-stranded and single-stranded breaks in DNA.Act as potent carcinogens due to role in oxidative damage.Ways in which gamma rays affect humans are : Here, we examine the basic concept of radiation and its effects on human health, including the concept of gamma radiation and its role in damaging DNA/chromosomes and causing severe biological and health problems in humans. It took a lot of time to link the connection between the radiation and its deadly effect on human health. Īfter such unrestrained use of radiation by scientists in different technologies, in the 1920s, the mutagenic and killing effects of radiation on humans were first recognized.
Polonium and radium were discovered by Curie, then, “radium” became an important source of “gamma rays” (which was extensively used in industrial radiography in world war-2, during the US Navy’s shipbuilding program). Wilhelm Roentgen brought a revolution in the medical field by first developing an X-ray machine in 1895 after which, the first radiology department was set up.Īfter the discovery of X-ray, various scientists such as Henri Becquerel, Marie, and Pierre Curie started working on radiation. Radiations have been extensively used in medical devices to look into the inner workings of the human body. Balances, Scales and Weighing Equipment.
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