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When a gamma ray strikes living tissue (as when it strikes any matter) it deposits energy through excitation and ionization of the tissue's atoms and molecules. Since most of the matter in tissue is water, this mostly happens to water molecules. This creates free radicals (such as hydroxyl radicals), hydrogen peroxide, etc. These can then damage biological molecules such as DNA and this is known as an indirect effect. The gamma ray can also excite or ionize biological molecules directly.

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When gamma rays pass through living tissue do they damage molecules?

Yes, gamma rays can damage molecules in living tissue by ionizing atoms and disrupting chemical bonds. This can lead to mutations in cells and potentially cause harm, including increasing the risk of cancer.


What is the effect of gamma rays on living tissue?

Gamma rays are a type of ionizing radiation that can penetrate deeply into living tissue, causing damage to cells and DNA. This can lead to cell death, genetic mutations, and an increased risk of cancer. Exposure to high levels of gamma rays can be harmful and can have both short-term and long-term health effects on living organisms.


A form of nuclear radiation that travels as waves is a?

Gamma radiation is a form of nuclear radiation that travels as waves. It is highly penetrating and is a concern in terms of its ability to damage living tissue and the environment.


What is the energy of a gamma wave?

The energy of a gamma wave can vary within a broad range, typically from about 100 keV to several MeV. The energy of gamma waves is significantly higher than that of visible light or radio waves, making them more penetrating and potentially harmful to living tissue.


Which type of radiation alpha beta or gamma is most dangerous to living thing?

Gamma radiation is generally considered the most dangerous to living things because it can penetrate deeply into tissue and cause cell damage throughout the body. Alpha and beta radiation are less penetrating and can be more easily shielded against.

Related Questions

When gamma rays pass through living tissue do they damage molecules?

Yes, gamma rays can damage molecules in living tissue by ionizing atoms and disrupting chemical bonds. This can lead to mutations in cells and potentially cause harm, including increasing the risk of cancer.


What is the effect of gamma rays on living tissue?

Gamma rays are a type of ionizing radiation that can penetrate deeply into living tissue, causing damage to cells and DNA. This can lead to cell death, genetic mutations, and an increased risk of cancer. Exposure to high levels of gamma rays can be harmful and can have both short-term and long-term health effects on living organisms.


A form of nuclear radiation that travels as waves is a?

Gamma radiation is a form of nuclear radiation that travels as waves. It is highly penetrating and is a concern in terms of its ability to damage living tissue and the environment.


What is the energy of a gamma wave?

The energy of a gamma wave can vary within a broad range, typically from about 100 keV to several MeV. The energy of gamma waves is significantly higher than that of visible light or radio waves, making them more penetrating and potentially harmful to living tissue.


Why is gamma ray radiation the best suited to use?

Gamma-rays are extremely high-energy photons and VERY dangerous. It is the worse form of atomic radiation of the 3 types of radioactive decay, and destroys living tissue and DNA.


Which place gamma globulins are synthesized in human?

lymphoid tissue


What do gamma rays damage?

Any tissue they pass through.


Which type of radiation alpha beta or gamma is most dangerous to living thing?

Gamma radiation is generally considered the most dangerous to living things because it can penetrate deeply into tissue and cause cell damage throughout the body. Alpha and beta radiation are less penetrating and can be more easily shielded against.


What kind of electromagnetic radiation can cause harm to living human tissue?

Ionizing radiation, such as X-rays and gamma rays, have enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, leading to cellular damage and potential harm to living human tissue. Exposure to high levels of ionizing radiation has been linked to an increased risk of cancer and other health issues.


Which has higher energy infrared light or gamma rays?

Gamma rays have higher energy than infrared light. Gamma rays have the highest energy among all types of electromagnetic radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum, while infrared light has lower energy and longer wavelengths than gamma rays.


Gamma rays used for?

Gamma rays are used in various applications such as cancer treatment (radiation therapy), sterilization of medical equipment, food preservation, and industrial imaging. They are also used in the detection of defects in materials and in security screening at airports.


What is the high end of an electromagnetic spectrum?

The high end of the electromagnetic spectrum includes gamma rays, which have the shortest wavelengths and highest frequencies. Gamma rays have the highest energy of all electromagnetic waves and are typically produced by processes such as nuclear reactions and supernova explosions.